The next morning, Abby awoke to find Mark already gone. Frowning, she touched his side of the bed. It was already cold, so he must’ve left hours ago. Considering it was all of eight o’clock right now, she wondered why he’d get up so early on Christmas Day.
When she couldn’t find him anywhere after going downstairs, she began to worry. She sent him a quick text, which he replied to within moments. Be there soon.
By the time he arrived, the kids had already unwrapped all of their presents and the adults were starting on theirs. Mark came into the living room, looking harried but exultant.
“Abby, I need to talk to you.”
Abby followed him upstairs, not even realizing she’d followed him into the bathroom until he shut the door behind her.
“Nothing was open. That’s why it took me so long.”
