Kassie stared at her phone for twenty minutes before finally calling Sarah. Emma was building a fort out of couch cushions in the living room, chattering happily to her stuffed animals about their upcoming adventure, and the sound of her daughter’s joy only made Kassie feel worse about the conversation she needed to have.
The older kids were in their rooms—Lee reading, Aaron organizing his baseball cards, Marie practicing dance moves to music playing through her headphones. Sunday mornings had a peaceful rhythm in their house, everyone comfortable in their own space while staying connected to the family unit.
“How did last night go?” Sarah answered on the first ring, her voice bright with curiosity and hope.
Kassie closed her eyes and leaned against her kitchen counter. “It didn’t.”
“W
