It was the house I bought after deployments, after early alarms, after cheap meals, after sleeping in places where privacy was a luxury and comfort was something you learned not to expect.
It was the first thing I had ever owned that felt like proof I had survived my own family.
I told Officer Hughes I no longer owned it.
There was a pause on the line.
I heard paper move, then a click of a pen, then nothing.
When he spoke again, his voice was lower.
He said three people had forced entry into the house the night before.
He said they were carrying baseball bats.
He said the current homeowner had found them inside.
He said there was damage to the rear door, damage in the hallway, and that all three suspects had been taken into custody.
My fingers closed around the edge of the counter.
He added that all three were insisting the situation was a family matter connected to me.
