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I cringe The worst part is, he’s right He’s just askingWhy isn’t Emerson here with me?

"It’s OK," Daniel says quickly, as if he can tell his innocent questions have paralyzed s onto the truck You have boxes of stuff you want to take back to the city?"

I nod, finally finding , keep or trash, or donate"

"That’s o take a look in the kitchen"

He leaves me alone, swathed in the warm blanket and er to hiirl who always had a plan, fallen apart so coht This isn’t like --it doesn’there in the aching grip of old s and a couple of packing cartons, and climb the stairs to the first floor I walk briskly down the hallway, and push open the door to my mom’s room It sits, quiet in the afternoon, a faint sheen of dust covering every surface Untouched for years

I take a deep breath, then I set to work: clearing the bedside tables and e the pink rose quilt away, and stuffing old clothing into the refuse sacks I can hear Daniel banging around downstairs, and see glimpses of him as he hauls stuff out to the truck, but he doesn’t come bother me up here, and I don’t ask for help

This, I have to do alone

A life is dismantled under my hands, years of memories I work until the roo in the place where my hosts have been packed quietly away

"Goodbye, ine outside, and check out theto see if Daniel is taking the first load out to Goodwill But instead, I see Emerson’s truck pull in across the driveway

I freeze, watching withthe door The sky is overcast now, grey clouds blowing in fast frooes out to h the open , I can hear every word

"Where is she?" Eht, but rumpled and disheveled now, as if he just threw the when he left

When he ran out on you

I know I should hate hih the ,To have those ht of his solid torso bearing down on me

Emerson makes to move towards the porch, but Daniel blocks his way "Woah," Daniel puts his hands up "Back off You’re not co in"

Even from up here, I can see Emerson’s whole body tense "Who the fk are you?"

"A friend" Daniel stands firet to shohen it suits you She’s not in a state to talk right now, she’ll let you know if she wants to see you"