Chapter 35: Sam

With a couple of hours to kill in between class and practice, I make a quick trip home to see my parents. It's a little after two in the afternoon when I walk through the front door.

"Hello?" My raised voice echoes off the hardwoods that run through the first floor. Since it's early, I know my sister and brother are still at school. Gavin is on the eighth-grade basketball team, so he won't be home until four, which is around the time my sister, Ari, gets off the bus from elementary school.

"Mom," I call out again, wondering where she is.

After a moment, I hear footfalls coming up from the basement. I go to the door and pull it open as she appears with a few stacked boxes in her hands.

"Hi, sweetie!" She gives me a quick peck on the cheek before sweeping by. "This is a surprise." Concern flickers in her eyes as her brows slide together. "Is everything all right?"

"Yup, it's fine. Just thought I'd stop by and see how everything is going."

When she doesn't respond, I poi