I picked up the airplane, overwhelmed.
But when I opened it, my heart stopped. What I read froze me in place:
“Grandma, HELP! I’m not safe! Please, don’t tell Mom and Dad! – Timmy.”
I needed answers, but I knew I couldn’t get them from my son or daughter-in-law. They had already shut me out and wouldn’t suddenly open up now.

The next morning, I went straight to my friend Linda’s house. Linda had been my neighbor for 30 years, and although she moved closer to her daughter, she still kept an ear to the ground. If there was any gossip about my son’s household, she’d know.
I told her everything and showed her Timmy’s note. She read it, her face going pale. “Something’s wrong, Margaret. I’ve heard rumors—nothing concrete, but people have said your daughter-in-law’s been acting strange, avoiding people, and snapping at them. Maybe something’s going on at home.”
