When I was fresh out of college, I took a job in a town that was a few hours drive from where I was living. The place I was supposed to move into wasn’t available until after the holidays, but my lease was up, and the new job was starting now.
One of my friends offered to let me stay with her family in town for the few weeks I had before my new place was available. They lived only a small distance from where I was working and it seemed like a good fit. My friend and her parents were going out of town for the holidays on vacation, but her brother would be staying behind and so I was allowed to continue living there while they were gone.
Before they left, I would rarely see her brother Ryan. So I figured it would be fine when they were gone, almost like having the place to myself.
On the second night, Ryan went out. He called to me on his way out, telling me he would be back in a few hours. I settled on the couch to watch some sappy holiday movies that were playing on the hallmark or lifetime channels. I don’t remember which.