Nissa slowly trudged home, dragging her feet slightly as she contemplated the math homework Mr. Gezenheit gave them. Were forty-seven questions on point-slope really necessary? Eventually, she reached home. Her legs felt like lead as she stepped through the door.

"Dad! I’m home!" Nissa called. She slowly pulled off her dark red boots, and wiggled her toes to shake the snow off of her sock.

"Dad?" she called again. Where was he? He was always waiting for her by the time she . . .