I smiled when my son told me I wasn’t welcome for Christmas, got in my car, and drove home. Two days later, my phone showed eighteen missed calls. That’s when I knew something had gone terribly wrong.

Like Christmas was just an appointment.

I stood up, joints aching from years of carrying more than my share.

“I understand.”

“Dad—wait—”

But I was already walking out, past framed family photos where my presence faded frame by frame, past closets stuffed with Isabella’s coats.