Christmas candles burned in the living room, and presents beneath the tree carried the twins’ names.
I’d previously told my parents we wouldn’t visit because Cole claimed traveling with sick babies was irresponsible.
They hadn’t been sick when he decided.
He simply hadn’t wanted to visit.
Yet my parents bought presents anyway.
I turned away, overwhelmed.
Dad picked up my bag.
“Your old room is ready.”
“You knew I was coming?”
“Your mother has kept that room ready for thirty-four years.”
“I’m thirty-two.”
“She started early.”
I laughed.
Then I
