The heavy tires had carved deep ruts into the lawn.

He always parked by the oak tree when he was dodging a difficult client or pretending he’d already headed out to a job site.

He’d sit in the cab for an hour scrolling on his phone, waiting for the client to quit calling.

I touched my gold wedding band and gave it a quarter turn.

“You’ve been wincing for a week,” I said.

Hannah pulled her hands up inside her fleece sleeves.

“I ate too fast,” she said.

“I need to catch the bus.”

Richard took a big bite of toast and waved her toward the door.

“Go get an A, kiddo,” he said.

The front door closed, and Richard turned toward the sink.

“You worry way too much, Ellen,” he said.

“If she’s still in pain this afternoon, I’m taking her to the clinic,” I said.

Richard shut off the faucet hard.