I Adopted Four Brothers and Sisters Who Were About to Be Torn Apart

“They went quickly,” he told me. As if that was supposed to make it easier.

After the funeral, the house no longer felt like home.

Lauren’s favorite mug still rested beside the coffee machine.

Caleb’s little sneakers stayed near the front door.

His drawings were still hanging on the refrigerator.

I couldn’t bring myself to sleep in our bedroom anymore.