Cereal bowls.
Printer paper.
A phone charger stretched across the counter.
People who did not need me isolated in order to help me.
Gregory changed tactics before lunch.
His messages became softer.
I’m sorry I scared you.
I was trying to surprise you with an opportunity.
I should have explained it better.
Come talk to me. Abigail can stay with your mom.
Christopher read the last line and said nothing.
He did not need to.
Gregory still wanted Abigail somewhere else.
He still wanted me alone.
I asked him one direct question.
Who prepared the purchase agreement?
For the first time, he did not answer immediately.
Ten minutes passed.
Then twenty.
Finally:
A guy I know. It doesn’t matter because you haven’t signed.
I replied:
Send me his name and the full agreement.
Gregory called instead.
I declined the call.
He called again.
I declined again.
Then his next message arrived.
