When I opened my eyes, I gasped at the sight in the garage. There were animals everywhere, filling every inch of space. They sat there silently, staring at me, letting me know they heard what I just sent them. Birds, cats, dogs, butterflies, squirrels, the ones I called creepy crawlies—spiders, worms, caterpillars, snails, and more. I stared back, smiled, and said thank you. They scampered out as quickly and as quietly as they came in.
I walked to the house to talk to Dad. I found him in his office, hunched over paperwork but not really reading. I sat on the chair behind him, tucking my legs under me. Before I could decide what to say, I heard him say something, so gently I almost missed it.
“She’s not dead, you know. I know it in my heart. Like I know the sun is going to come out tomorr
