I Was Lifting Our Heavy Mattress to Search for an Earring I Had Dropped Behind the Bedframe – I Expected to Find Some Dust, but What Was Carefully Taped Beneath His Side of the Mattress Made Me Slowly Sit Down on the Uncovered Floor

and splashed water on my face.

The legal document was thicker.

***

I didn’t sleep that night.

I lay next to Ethan and listened to his even breathing and rehearsed a hundred different opening lines.

***

Morning light spread across the kitchen counter as I set two mugs down.

My husband walked in, also already dressed, humming, and stopped when he saw my face.continue reading …