Voices in the Night

I’m one of six. I shared a room all my life until I reached high school. When I turned that magical age, my older brother and sister both were out of the house, and I was offered the smallest bedroom in the house. Mine. All mine.

To make the point, I was allowed input on the decor. I had all the taste and distinction of a teenage boy, so the furniture (including a wonderful solid wood desk) was all painted flat black. The walls became “champagne orange,” a statement color to say the least. I’m...