When Rick and I got into the house, it was quiet and darker than it should have been. Normally, my dad’s office light was on, or you could see the flashing of the television in the TV room window. Instead, all but the living room lights were off. It upset me a little that my parents didn’t stay up until their normal bedtime just to avoid me.
I led Rick into the house and went to turn off the light in the living room before heading up to the guest room mom told me about. I froze in the doorway. My dad was sitting on the couch reading a book. He rarely read, so it was even more shocking than him being right there.
“Dad, you startled me!” I chuckled.
“Yeah, well, I had to wait up for you.” He grumbled.
“Why?”
“Your mama’s in a mood. She locked every door except the room you two are
