I'm Not Giving Up On You

“LET’S GO TO your room for a bit, kids? Is that okay? You’ve had a busy day,” Alice Lancaster smiled softly at her grandchildren. She then held out her hand.

Vera, still excited, grabbed her grandmother’s hand right away. “Can we play with the toys you got us?”

“Of course,” Alice replied, leading the kids to their room. “We can play for a little while, and then maybe read a story.”

Vince hesitated, glancing back at his parents.

“But we just arrived. And we missed Mom. Can’t we stay, Grandma?” he argued.

“Your grandpa wants to talk to your parents privately, Vince. Maybe later.”

With what his grandma said, Vince didn’t say anything anymore. Instead, he followed his sister and grandmother, the door closing quietly behind them.

With the kids gone, the room felt heavier. As soon as the door to their room closed, the atmosphere in the living room grew tense.

Vivienne stood by the couch, her hands nervously held together. Ezekiel was near the edge of the couch, shifting from one foot to