A Sense of Absence

I knew my father was dead when the helicopter flew low over my house.

The ambulance had gone past with lights and siren a few minutes before. I didn't look to see where it went, but I had a feeling.

I stepped out my back door and watched the aircraft. When it settled at my father's house, I got my hat and my dog and drove the mile to the house where I was raised.

There was no distress or panic. He...