God spoke to me in a dream that night. Or at least, I think he did. The dream was a slur of love and joy and comforting… among other things. All I really remember is Sam’s face, and I just knew that everything would turn out alright. It had to. I didn’t think about all the various “what ifs…”

I woke feeling content. I felt love radiating out of me to the four corners of my bedroom, just as the sun shone through the shades. I sat up and smiled for a moment, before sighing and getting up.

I prayed to God to send my family strength, and then I texted Sam.

I love you.

He texted right back: Me too.

And everything was right in the world. Then I walked out of my bedroom and there was Brett in the hall, in his bathrobe, peering into my mom’s room with a devilish grin on his face.

After recovering from my shock, I scowled at him as he flirted with Mom, then I shoved past him on my way to get breakfast.

Very suddenly everything was back to normal.