My Granddaughter Was Left Behind While They Went on Vacation So I Showed Up the Next Day

and the beagle was asleep at our feet, and the street was quiet in the particular way that suburban streets are quiet in the hour before dark, when the mowers have stopped and the children have gone inside and the air smells like cut grass and cooling pavement.

“Grandpa,” she said. “I’m really glad I’m with you.”

I put my arm around her and held her continue reading …