Chapter 55

• I pulled out of my mom’s tight hug to be enveloped in my father’s large arms, and then Audrey’s embrace lasted the longest.
• Everything feels different. That glow was back in mother’s eyes, she looked better, as did Audrey and father. I was glad when Slade and the others excused themselves to give us some time alone. Mom had tears in her eyes as usual, and I don’t think I ever saw father this happy, or well kept. I didn’t realize I was crying myself until father wiped a tear from my eyes with his thumb.
• I’d missed them so much. Never would I have thought it possible to stay away from my family for this long without any means of communication.