Alone. For the first time in his life, Andy felt completely, utterly alone. His parents were working and wouldn't be home for a while yet. His only sibling, Kat, was gone. Andy had come home just in time to see her run out the door, a backpack slung over one shoulder and a duffle bag in one hand, both stuffed with the necessities and precious possessions she had chosen to bring with her.

Now Andy sat in a kitchen chair, his head in his hands, and a brief, tear-stained note from his sister on his lap. The words rang in his head as he looked up to read them again and again, his tears falling on the small sheet of paper to join those shed earlier as it had been written:

My dearest little brother,
I don't expect you to understand my departure.
I hardly understand it myself. I'm sorry, Andy.
I'm so, so sorry. But I can't stay here right now.
I won't be gone forever. I'll come home as soon
as I can. I promise.

Take care of Mom and Dad for me.

All my love,

Kat

The sound of the garage door going up snapped Andy back to reality. Rising to his feet and carefully but quickly putting the precious not into his pocket, he braced himself for the terrible confrontation he knew was about to ensue, not knowing if he was willing or able to give his parents the news.

It would be fully one year to the day before Andy Johnson saw or heard from his sister again.