The university library was my second home. Clustered study carrels, the hush of turning pages, the sweet brainstorm aroma of steaming cappuccinos\u2014I thrived in the quiet rigor. Midterms loomed, and I was immersed in immunology charts when my phone buzzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I glanced at the screen: \u201cDad.\u201d<\/strong> He never called during exam season. My pulse quickened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dad (voice trembling):<\/strong> \u201cEmma, I need you home. Now.\u201d My coffee cup shook in my hand. A sudden knot of dread coiled in my stomach. I gathered my laptop, shoved my notes into my backpack, and sprinted out of the stacks, nearly colliding with a pair of startled freshmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The forty\u2011five\u2011minute drive blurred into anxious thoughts. Had Mom\u2014who\u2019d passed away five years earlier\u2014been in an accident? Was Dad ill? Adrenaline pulsed through me as I obeyed every traffic rule with almost fearful exactness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dusk settled as I turned onto our suburban street. The house\u2019s exterior looked unchanged\u2014an aged brick split by a central bay window; Dad\u2019s ancient Ford parked in the drive. And there, unexpectedly, sat a sleek black sedan that I\u2019d never seen before.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The university library was my second home. Clustered study carrels, the hush of turning pages, the sweet brainstorm aroma of steaming cappuccinos\u2014I thrived in the quiet rigor. Midterms loomed, and I was immersed in immunology charts when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen: \u201cDad.\u201d He never called during exam season. My pulse quickened. Dad (voice…<\/p>\n\n
Me (heart pounding):<\/strong> \u201cDad? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d
Dad:<\/strong> \u201cJust\u2026 get here.\u201d Click.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe Drive Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n