I stopped so suddenly in Arthur’s living room that my purse slipped from my shoulder.
For a few seconds, I couldn’t hear the kettle in the kitchen.
I couldn’t hear the clock ticking behind me.
I could only stare above his fireplace.
I stopped so suddenly in Arthur’s living room.
And for more than 20 years, I’d believed it was gone.
“Abigail?”
Arthur’s voice came from behind me.
I turned.
He was holding two coffee mugs.
I pointed above the fireplace.
“Where did you get that?”
His face changed.
That was when I knew this wasn’t some strange coincidence.
I’d believed it was gone.
***
I had spent almost my entire adult life taking care of other people.
A husband, four children, and then grandchildren.
I worked as a school secretary for 32 years, packed lunches, picked up sick kids, loaned money whenever someone needed it but rarely got it back,
