Eleven Years of Eating Lunch by a Window in Columbus, Ohio, Ended With a Box I Never Expected

Derek has suspected as much for years.

That’s why he kept watch on the break room.”

—

At three fifteen, Liam took out a flat envelope, and from it, a square of paper folded into four neat quarters.

I recognized it before he unfolded it.

RESERVED FOR CHARLOTTE’S DATE, in the office printer’s font, the tape still sticky at the corners.

“He held on to it,” I said.

“He kept anything that proved a point.” Liam smoothed it flat on the desk.