After almost five decades together, we didn’t talk like we used to. Truth be told, we barely spoke past “good morning” and “good night,” and we had been sleeping in separate rooms for over ten years. She claimed it was because of my snoring, but I knew there was more to it. Still, we kept up appearances for the family, mainly for the grandkids.

When the phone rang that afternoon, I had no idea that call would completely upend my life. It was Miles, my nineteen-year-old grandson, with whom I’ve always been close. His voice sounded strange, shaky.