“I will, I promise,” I said.

I locked the front door after her and walked back into the quiet living room, where the rug was completely bare now.

I put my little brass alarm clock on the end table and wound the key until the bell spring clicked into place for six a.m.

Four black plastic milk crates sat by the front door, packed with neat paper rolls.

I grabbed the top crate by its handle and lifted with my legs.