in Brooklyn that Dante kept for storage. I retrie

ed of dust and the stale,

d stored Leo's things before th

e fur was matted from years of love. Leo used to sleep wi

nt of baby powder that still lingered f

nt door

fr

slipped away from the nanny in the car o

e. He sa

scowl that looked far

that!" he

snatched the do

"I bought you that. Re

t the toy,

on this," he spat. "She says ever

just dro

ce that had been left on the ta

rple liquid soaked into the beige

ripped. The old stitching gave way. Stuff

ned carcass at my feet. "I wish you stayed

plattered o

ed at

ed. I looked for the toddler who

sn't

he hadn't just stolen my husband

fight me every step of the way. He would be

destroy the structure that had corrupted

pocket and pulled

iped the purple s

e felt like it was

e, Leo,

to hug him.

, out the door, a

door open

e victim. I was don

n in that hallway. A