Left Out in the Cold

During summer break, I returned home unannounced, hoping to surprise my family.

But the moment I stepped through the door, my elder brother, Ronan, called the police.

"Hello. I'd like to report a burglary at my house."

Only when the police officer handcuffed me did I snap out of my trance and scream, "Dad, Mom, Julian, don't you recognize me? I'm Alba!"

My parents shook their heads in unison. "We don't know her."

Even Julian Murphy, the man I had dated for five years, averted his gaze. "I guess she's a stalker who thinks I'm her boyfriend."