I locked my wife in the pantry under the stairs

mother was already in the kitchen. Makeup on. Hair arranged more carefully than usual. Coffee bubbling on the stove.

“Open it,” she said. “Let’s see if the performance is over.”

I took the key.

My fingers would not obey me.

“Emily?” I called beside the door.

Silence.

I unlocked it.

The pantry was empty.

At first, I didn’t even understand. My eyes searched continue reading …