“We need the kitchen cleared by six for the turkey,” Martha said quietly.

“Harper has three appetizer trays to put together.”

“I’ve got one box in the hall,” I said.

“Take it out now,” Arthur said.

He picked up his newspaper and refolded the front section into a hard, narrow strip.

“We’ve got people coming before noon.”

I walked down the short hallway to the front door.

A single brown cardboard moving box sat on the floor by the coat rack, packed with two blankets, my travel kit and David’s leather ledger holder.