The dust on the blue suitcase left grey streaks across my damp palm as I dragged it from the hallway closet.
On the kitchen table, the morning light hit the faded floral wallpaper, making the old grease spots near the stove look bright and yellow.
I cleared my throat before speaking softly. “Do you think we need the heavy coats, or just light jackets?”
Arthur did not look up from the local newspaper.
“Light ones should do,” he said.
His clipped voice always made me feel like I was interrupting a private meeting in our own home.
I twisted my silver wedding band, spinning the cold metal until the skin underneath turned red.
“Leo is late coming home,” Arthur said, folding the sports section into a tight square. “He was supposed to be back by seven.”
“He probably stayed at Greg’s to play video games,” I said, placing three pairs of trousers into the suitcase.
