“Yes,” I whispered.

“Thank you.”

At four that afternoon, Nick returned carrying snacks for another football game.

He walked into the living room and looked at me.

“Are you feeling calmer?”

“Your parents are coming.”

He stopped.

“You called my mother?”

“Yes.”

“Anna, this is between you and me.”

“You involved your sister before you even spoke to me.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it.

Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Elaine stood on the porch beside her husband, Frank.

Each carried a large shopping bag.

A third sat between their feet.

Nick looked from one bag to the next.

“Mom, what did you do?”

Elaine met his eyes.

“First, we’re returning Anna’s belongings.”

Then she stepped inside.

Frank carried the shopping bags upstairs.

Nick followed, asking questions that neither parent answered.

Elaine waited until we reached the bedroom.

“Anna, would you prefer to open these privately?”