Each year, my son planted sunflowers in memory of his twin sister who passed away—then one morning, we discovered them all cut down, with a white box left behind.

could reach in time.

They called it a terrible accident.

Patrick called it his fault.

A Brother’s Guilt

The truth, as Patrick remembered it, was simple and unbearable.

A duck had gotten tangled near the reeds. Lily wanted to help. Patrick had been holding her hand, like he always did.

Then the bread sack started blowing toward the water.

He let go for one continue reading …