I would retrieve it, complain about the dust, and spend the drive reminding Christopher that getting dressed took longer when the jewelry escaped.

I pressed my cheek against the bedside rug and aimed my phone’s flashlight into the gap.

The earring glinted near the baseboard, just beyond easy reach.

I shifted the mattress enough to see around the edge of the frame.

My shoulder began to ache as I held it up.

The light showed dust, a forgotten hair tie, and a small pale mark on the wood.

Then I moved the beam slightly to the left.