There Was an Extra Place at the Table for My Late Husband—That’s When My Son Went Pale

Not the gradual pale of someone feeling sick, but the instant bloodless pale of someone who’s just been caught. His eyes darted to Vanessa, then back to me, and I watched him swallow hard enough that his throat moved visibly.

“Mom,” he started, then stopped. His mouth opened and closed like he was testing words that wouldn’t come out right.

Vanessa’s continue reading …