PART 1 — THE RED DOOR

The brass key was still warm from Ryan’s hand when he took it from me.

I had been sorting unopened mail at the kitchen table while Emma colored beside me, filling a page with red circles that she said were apples.

Ryan came through the doorway with a suitcase in one hand.

“I’m leaving for Virginia Beach tonight,” he said.

I looked at the suitcase, then at Emma.

She had not looked up.

“Tonight?”

“Patricia and Rachel are going with me.

We will be back soon.”

Emma pressed her red crayon harder against the paper.

“How soon?” I asked.

Ryan set the suitcase near the stairs.

“A couple of days.”

“Which days?”

He rubbed his wedding ring with his thumb.

“Listen to me.

I have the arrangements covered.”

I glanced at Emma again.