ber I didn't recognize. I almost ignored it, bu

ar

is voice was t

said, without any preamble. "The one

erated entitlement. I had left his house with a concussi

here and given him step-by-step instructions. 'It' s in the top left drawer

titches in her head and a hol

Mark," I said

at do you mean you don'

ymore. I guess you'll h

for this." He paused, and his tone shifted, becoming slightly conciliatory. "Look, I had th

a piece of jewelry could erase the image of him and Emily walking

e'd love it. She's your secretary, isn't she? Part of her job is t

d. "She's a respectable woman. She's not a lunati

almost laughed. "Is that

"Just tell your lawyer to get in touch with mine.

s the first thing we'v

added, "Hold on, Alex

object, the p

nt, a stark contrast to the co

d, hopeful part, wanted to hea

ub. I remembered his cold ey

ung

ouse landline too. The silence that followed was profound. It was t

rden, her hands deep in the rich soil. The

eling beside her and pul

asked, not

o know where

g smile on her lips. "Some men would be l

ed to give me a

at did

to give it

bins in the nearby cherry tree flutter their wings. "Good gir

the comfortable silence and the simple, satisfying work of our hands. For the first time