Since I’m running way behind, I’ll merely say I hope 2021 puts us on a healing path. I don’t expect it to be better immediately but I hope by the end it will be.

I’m continuing with These Haunted Hills Picking up from last week, Joshua is afraid Brendan might have gone back to Columbus for good after his emotional collapse at the cabin.

Jackson was some forty miles away but he didn’t feel any more at peace on the drive. He pulled into his parents’ drive. Dad would still be at work but it wasn’t Mom’s day at the library Josh hooked the leashes to his cats’ harnesses and let them out of the car. They jogged their furry bulk to the door, talking about it the whole way. His mother opened the door before he could even get his key out.

He took a deep breath, trying to beat back the emotion welling up. “Mom, I think I really messed up.”

She pulled him into a hug and for the first time since he woke up, Josh thought maybe things could work out.