On Christmas

blood makes people safe.”

I looked at Lily’s bandaged fingers.

“No more,” I said.

I thought the worst part of that night had already happened.

I was wrong.

At 11:36 p.m., my mother called.

I stared at her name on my screen.

MOM.

As if the word still meant something.

I let it ring.

Then again.

Then my father called.

Then my mother sent a text.

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