When I was in fourth grade, my mom and I moved a few hours away to live with my grandma. I was an only child and painfully shy; all my friends had been my friends since forever, and I had no idea how to talk to these new kids at school.

I was maybe 10 or 11. My Dad was out of town at a conference and I was home with my Mom. She was preparing to go take a shower when suddenly we both heard this horrible hissing noise coming from the bathroom. To her credit, my Mom carefully went to investigate. When she came out, all the color had drained from her…

The Window