My father placed it on the bed.
“Come closer.”
I didn’t move.
“Dad, what’s going on?”
“Don’t be afraid. Just do what I say.”
His words frightened me even more. I started walking toward the door.
“I want to get Mom.”
Suddenly, my father hurried toward the door and locked it.
The moment I heard the key turn, I froze.
“Why did you lock the door?”
“So your mother won’t suddenly walk in.”
“OPEN IT!”
He stood near the door, holding the key.
“Emily, please. Just give me five minutes.”
I had never seen my father behave like this. His hands were trembling. There was sweat on his forehead.
And the most frightening part was that he seemed to have prepared for this conversation long in advance.
“Dad, if you don’t open that door, I’m going to scream.”
His expression changed.
“Don’t scream. Your mother will