PART4: I told my daughter I couldn’t watch the kids over Memorial Day weekend because I had cataract surgery coming up, and she texted, “So you’re choosing yourself over your grandchildren.

PART 4: THE KEY HE THOUGHT STILL WORKED
I looked toward the front door.
For twenty-seven years, that door had kept the weather out and welcomed my family in.
Until that moment, I had never been afraid of someone having a key.
“Which spare?” I asked.
“The one you gave us when Dad was in the hospital.”
I remembered.
Of course I remembered.
Wade had offered to bring in my mail while I sat beside Royce and listened to machines breathe around him.
Even that kindness had left something behind.
“Does he know you’re here?”
Caroline hesitated.
“I told him I was taking May for a drive.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“No. I don’t think so.”
I picked up my phone and called Otis.
This time, I did not soften anything.

THE END!