The Locked Room at the Top of the Stairs

“Not that, but — things like it.

She knows how to make herself the victim.

She’s had a lifetime of practice.

And I just—” his voice cracked, “—I froze.

I’ve been freezing in front of that woman since I was ten years old.

I let her lie down in that bed and I lay there next to her and I let you think—” He stopped, and put his face in his hands.