James Christopher Miller pulled up to the front of his house, parked his car beside that of his wife but did not get down from it. He sat for a minute or two in the idling car, sure that at any minute now, his hyperactive children would bound of the house in their usual manner to come and greet him. Except that they did not come out, even though he sat there waiting for over fifteen minutes and even honked a number of times to get their attention. Usually, they would have been on the verandah by now, beside themselves with happiness and waiting for the goodies he would bring back for them. Every day, as soon as they heard his car come up the driveway, they always ran out to wait for him on the verandah. So, he honked loud and long three more times to get their attention, but still, no one
