The Envelope That Changed Everything

little jacket hanging low on the hook. A crayon drawing taped to the refrigerator.

It should have comforted him. Instead it felt suffocating, because Owen wasn’t in it.

William tried to grade papers. The words blurred and slid off his mind. He made coffee, poured it, forgot it. The mug cooled on the counter untouched.

By six o’clock he’d checked his phone continue reading …