I laughed, kissed her soft cheek, and promised I’d be back the following weekend.
I meant it.
But life always makes noise when it’s stealing your time.
Work ran late. There was a birthday dinner. A flight got canceled. I caught a silly cold that made my bones ache.
One common excuse led to another, until a whole week stood between what I promised and what I actually did.
So when Kara texted me on Tuesday at 5:18 p.m.—“Can you swing by Mom and Dad’s place and grab the mail? We’ll be away for a few days. Don’t forget the basement door sticks”—guilt struck me, swift and sharp.
It sounded harmless.
A simple errand.
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