“A whole week.”

“We just need everybody to be patient,” she said, and carried her mug to the sink and set it down hard enough that the handle rang.

By ten the van stood in the driveway with both rear doors open.

Douglas carried a duffel in each hand and set them down the way you set down a sandbag.

“Easy,” he said, loud enough for the neighbors.

“That one’s got the boots in it.”