On the fourth day, my final meeting ended four hours early. I changed my flight and decided to surprise them. I did not tell Gabriel I was returning.
I landed around seven that evening. While driving home, I was thinking about whether Mom needed more broth or ginger tea. Then I pulled into the driveway and noticed Gabriel’s brother Danny’s car outside.
I assumed he had stopped by.
PART 2
When I entered through the garage, the kitchen looked wrong. Beer bottles covered the counter. There was an open bag of chips, a half-eaten pizza, and a stain in the hallway carpet that looked several days old.
Then I heard football on television.
The sound was coming from the guest room.
My mother’s room.
I walked down the hall and opened the door.
Gabriel was sitting on the bed. Danny occupied the chair I had placed by the window for Mom. Beer and snacks were scattered around them while a football game played loudly on the television.
