The Empty Nursery

For nearly twenty seconds, Ethan said nothing.

I could hear the paper moving.

Then his breathing changed.

“Madison.”

I waited.

“What is this?”

“You read it.”

“You moved out?”

“Yes.”

“While I was gone?”

“Yes.”

“Without talking to me?”

That almost made me laugh.

Instead I looked down at Caleb.

He stirred against my chest, made a tiny sound, then settled again.

I lowered my voice.