PART 1 — The Same House

I stayed where I was until the porch light clicked off behind me.

The silver engagement ring caught the light from the kitchen window when I reached for the door.

Caleb had left his blue backpack beside the refrigerator, one strap twisted around the chair leg.

I freed it, then set it beside his red school folder.

Dylan was still at the table with a green crayon.

He had drawn four square houses in a row and was adding windows to each one.

“Is Elliott coming back tomorrow?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I said I don’t know.”

He looked toward the window.

Caleb came from the hall carrying two plastic cups, one in each hand.

“Can we still have pancakes Saturday?”

“Yes.”

Caleb nodded as if that settled the useful part of the evening.

He put the cups beside the sink and picked up his backpack.

I reached for the zipper.