I Came Home With My Husband’s Suitcase—Then an 11:14 p.m. Call Revealed Who Would Answer When I Needed Help

It was a small change.

I noticed it without deciding what it promised.

When we hung up, I opened the wooden box once more.

I wiped one lens of James’s glasses with a clean cloth, then set them back.

The tie was smooth beneath my fingers except for the crease from the suitcase handle.

I folded it carefully.

This time the lid came down without catching.

I placed the box on the shelf.