It was a calculated relocation.

Richard wanted me out of the state, cut off from my mail and my bank, trapped on a boat in the middle of the ocean for a month.

I just didn’t know what he planned to do while I was gone.

I stood up slowly in the quiet driveway.

The warm spring breeze suddenly felt like nothing at all.

I closed the heavy car door with a dull thud and stood perfectly still beside the car.

I held the green plastic pacifier up to the morning light.