I never imagined a simple family dinner would upend our world. When Brian, my husband Tom’s lifelong best friend, joined us for what should’ve been a relaxed evening, it seemed harmless. But by the next morning, our seven-year-old daughter Emily stopped speaking—and didn’t say another word for months.
Even now, it’s hard to make sense of it. Maybe writing it down will help me process. Maybe someone out there will understand—or help me feel less alone for how deeply this still hurts.
That evening started out like many others. Tom had invited Brian over. They’d been best friends since middle school, as close as brothers. Brian was always part of our lives—helping with repairs, coming to family barbecues, sharing holidays. Emily adored him. Whenever he came by, she’d run to greet him, yelling his name and throwing her arms around his legs.
He’d always scoop her up with a laugh, saying, “There’s my favorite girl!”