“It’s a good thing.”

“It doesn’t feel real yet.”

“It will once the badge shows up.”

The microwave beeped.

Charles got up and carried his cup to the sink.

He washed it by hand, dried it with a paper towel, and set it upside down on the rack.

When he had finished his coffee, he pulled a birthday card from the same jacket pocket.

The envelope was bent at one corner.