The front door stood wide open and dangled precariously from the Diamond Dogs' dramatic entrance, which seemed like months ago. Snow drifted in onto the entryway tile, and as I stepped through into the blackened house, I could hear Mom's voice calling to me through my memories.

Hadley, if you track in any more snow, I will whip you with a wet noodle!

It had been so long since I'd allowed myself to hear her that I wheezed a chuckle. It sounded so foreign coming ...