On that second of February, the sky was clear and bright, and the sun’s powerful rays were felt even below the ground’s surface. The groundhog lay asleep deep within its sand burrow, curled up like a cinnamon roll. Soil sprinkled its brown fur, resembling diamond dust as he dreamed of his father. My son, I ...

Louise tossed on her bed and turned onto her back. She twisted a blond curl splayed out on the pillow. The lights strung on the bushes outside her window took turns glowing red and green on her ceiling. In the predawn hours, Louise rose and pulled on a flannel shirt and jeans. She slid on ...