r had much time on the day someone

n't a

s a s

A button found under a piece of furniture. A smooth stone. A pencil too short t

ck made her l

made the wa

eft no room

e answer wa

Anna heard it. A controlled breath, too

if they had ne

t glance. And yet the air seemed to tighten around them. They didn't look at Anna. Not

ed the door

a good tim

distance, Anna sensed the tension. T

en smiled. P

cise

culated. The living room instantly regained that rigidity the house knew so well-the kind that come

emaine

h. She understood the pauses. The silences that last

emained

e," said the man s

his voice. He

lenched

ne night.

metimes enough t

t its weight without fully grasping its meaning. She watched h

the man continued. "Yo

and stopped behind the corner of the wall. Close enough t

ever have been born,

he hallway. A moment too long. As if sh

e turne

my dau

t followed was

plied calmly. "S

very word, but she understood their intention. They were

e," the man went

closed

n fix t

" she

was lower

disappears from your life. A

ened her

if I

lded his h

. Your position. Your fa

e. She saw her mother's face change. It was no longer anger. It was an adult f

't ask m

the man replied. "W

y something. Break the silence. But her body remained fr

the window. The street was calm. People walked by

ave?" sh

ing," the man replie

a choice. Give up her child, or give up everything els

as too quiet. Of her restrained cries. O

ut. Of the man who had believed he could take without

e," she sa

en st

caref

hav

ent. The way one looks at someone

o longer ex

kno

a word. The door closed

s gave way. She slid down against the door, onto the

ped out o

She placed her hand on

arms. Tight. Too tight. As if she were trying

ving," she

nod

t ask any

lread

was no long

ing powerful had just decided