I took four photos with my phone, including one of the date, one of the room number, and one of the name.

The total had been paid in cash.

I put the receipt back in the same fold and hung the coat on the same hook.

I closed the closet door softly just as the shower stopped running.

At nine the next morning, I set Julian’s black coffee on the chipped table by the window and sat down across from him.

Maya slept in her stroller with one fist curled against her cheek.

Julian didn’t look up from his phone.