I tucked the silver post office key into my coin purse behind my credit card.

I smelled bacon frying in the hallway before I’d even finished getting dressed.

I stopped at the top of the stairs and listened to the grease sizzling in the pan.

Richard never cooked on weekday mornings.

He was usually gone by six with a travel mug in his hand.

Today his boots were still on the mat by the front door.

I went into the kitchen.