I Left My House Empty Three Days Before Christmas

beach was mostly empty.

A few people in coats. One woman jogging. A boy trying to fly a cheap red kite with no wind in it. The sky was gray-blue at first, then pink around the edges. Cold enough that my ears hurt.

Frank loved the ocean in winter. Said summer beaches were for loud people and potato salad.

I hadn’t let myself think about him much the day continue reading …