I smiled and stirred the pasta.
****
Over the next two weeks, I started disappearing to the lake on weekends. I took a duffel bag each time. Inside were my daughter’s stuffed rabbit, my son’s dinosaur books, my mother’s photo albums.
« That place is a money pit. »
Daniel noticed the bags growing lighter each trip home.
« You’re bringing stuff over there? »
« Just needed some space. You’ve been so stressed. I thought it’d be good for both of us. »
« Right. Space. » He nodded slowly. « You know, that place is a money pit. If we sold it, we could clear the mortgage. Start something new. »
« My key didn’t work. »
« I’ll think about it. »
His shoulders dropped in relief. He actually believed I would.
****
Then Rose came pounding on my front door on a Tuesday afternoon.
« What the hell, Claire? I drove out there and my key didn’t work. »
