“He needs to learn his place,” she said.

“And you need to stay in yours, right?”

She turned and walked out, letting the door swing closed behind her.

At two o’clock I stepped out onto the bright sidewalk.

The midday sun pounded down on the concrete.

Shoppers passed me with their store bags, with no idea how tightly I was gripping the garment bag.

Ethan was standing beside his parked car.

He had on a sharp gray suit and was checking the time on his phone.