Tyler

“Your dad won’t be able to make it tonight.” Mom said that morning, a glass of wine balanced between her fingers. “He had an emer—”

“Emergency at work.” I finished for her. “Cargo problem. Has to be in Miami by midnight. The world ends if he isn’t there.”

“Tyler.”

I looked at her for the first time since I walked downstairs, catching that familiar look she gave me when she felt I was spiraling again.

“I don’t like your tone.”

“By now you should know I’m used to him never being around, Mom.” I said dryly. “He’s never available.”

“Tyler,” she called again, a little sharper this time.

Then...