The Years We Left Empty

Summary

I felt the shock wave in my chest before my brain could even process the words.

I sat frozen on the edge of our king-sized bed, listening to the voice memo on Audrey’s phone for the third time. Then the fourth.

“Can you come over? The baby misses you.”

At first, I had convinced myself it was some absurd private joke between lifelong friends. An inside nickname. I had typed back from her unlocked screen with slightly trembling thumbs: Cut it out, Gavin. Don't call her that.