I didn't sleep. I sat on my parents' couch with a blanket on my knees and listened to the house breathe. When the clock in the hallway struck five, I stood up. My mother woke as soon as I moved. She has always been like that—light sleeper, quick to check if someone needs her.
She came out in her robe and put a hand on my shoulder. “Drink some water," she said. “Then take a shower. I'll make something warm."
“I'm not very hungry," I said.
“You don't have to be hungry," she said. “Just sip."
I nodded because it was something I could do. She went to the kitchen. My father was already there at the table, fully dressed like always. He folded the newspaper without opening it.
He looked at my face for a long second. “Tell us what you want to do," he said. His voice was soft but steady. “We w
