I Returned For Thanksgiving To Find My Parents Gone—And My Father Waiting

with concern. “The house was dark all weekend. I was worried, but I didn’t want to intrude on family business, you know?”

“You’ve been very helpful, Edith,” I said, standing and stopping the recording discreetly. “Thank you for the tea.”

I had a witness now—a credible, elderly neighbor who could confirm abandonment, the presence of the mistress, and continue reading …