Daniel, soup is in the fridge. Heat it slowly, not too hot.
Daniel, rain today. Your coat is by the door.
Daniel, I saw this article about carpentry classes and thought of you.
At first, I barely cared.
The truth was, I never really saw Evelyn as my wife.
I saw her as a clock ticking down.
Every doctor’s appointment made me listen closer. Every bottle of pills on the counter reminded me that someday, everything inside that house might become mine. Every time she coughed too long, I felt a shameful pulse of expectation.
I know how terrible that sounds now.
But at the time, I convinced myself I was just being clever.
I told myself she had chosen this arrangement.
I told myself I made her happy.
I told myself I was paying for my future with companionship.
But Evelyn kept making that harder.
She did not demand romance.
