No one defended him after that.
Three months later, I moved into a smaller place across town. My lawyer found more debt Austin had never disclosed, and the separation became permanent.
Last week, he brought over a box of books and scarves I had left behind. He stood outside my front door with both hands on the box like he was delivering something fragile.
With a sheepish expression, like a dog who’d been kicked out, he asked, “May I come in?”
After he left, I carried it to my bedroom and opened my dresser. Every drawer was exactly the way I had left it.
I looked at him.
“No.”
He nodded and handed me the box from the porch.
After he left, I carried it to my bedroom and opened my dresser. Every drawer was exactly the way I had left it.
I set the box down, closed the drawer, and locked my front door.
