“We were both just worn out, Val.

Let’s put last night behind us for Sadie’s sake.”

He reached out and squeezed my arm through the thick wool of my winter coat.

“I’ll clear my whole work schedule for the rest of the week,” he said gently, his voice full of soft pleading.

“We can stay right here, order in dinner, and get our family back on solid footing.”

Across the street, a blue delivery truck backed into Mary Bennett’s driveway, its reverse beeper ringing through the clear winter air.