My father stood up at the lake house dinner and raised his glass in fr…

table. My father was leaning back in his chair, laughing at something. He had not yet noticed the empty chair two seats to his left.

I drove away before dessert was served.

I drove two hours before I stopped.

At a rest area on Route 30 near Irwin, the parking lot was almost empty. Two trucks idled near the far end. A minivan sat under a light that flickered continue reading …