DARE

Amy balanced the phone against her ear with one hand while she tried to force the suitcase closed with the other. No matter how much she pushed, the lid would not budge. Frustrated, she told her mom that she’d call her back later, disconnected the call, and flung the cell phone on the bed, renewing her efforts with both arms on the impossibly full suitcase. Her brown curls flew around her head in a maniacal dance. She swore under her breath, kicked the suitcase for good measure, and went in search of ice cream instead.

She twisted the lid off the container of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey and...