It’s been three days. Dad didn’t come back. Mom’s still in her room. She won’t come out. I’m hungry, and we’re out of peanut butter and bread. My sleeves are wet from doing the dishes.

I made her some soup, but she won’t eat it. The empty cans are stacked in the trash, and I need to take it down before I go to school in the morning. I haven’t been to school since he didn’t come home. I’m afraid to leave her alone.

I’m afraid that I’ll come home from school, and she’ll be gone too. I’ll be alone.