When the Tide Recedes, I Give Farewell to the Long Night

The Loving Family group chat was buzzing away.

I snapped a photo of the college acceptance letter I'd just picked up and sent it to the chat.

Dead silence. Not one reply.

An hour later my brother posted a two-second voice clip. It was his puppy barking.

Mom appeared in an instant. "Toffee's little bark is so cute, my heart just melted."

Dad came right after. "Does Toffee miss Grandpa? Grandpa set up a whole luxury villa just for you."

Even Cheryl Fox, who hadn't answered my messages in two weeks, warmed right up.