The more I thought, the worse it hurt.
My fists clenched until my nails bit into my palms.
By the time the sky began to lighten, I'd made a decision.
I carefully lifted her hand off my chest and slid out of bed.
She rolled over, mumbled something unintelligible, and drifted back to sleep.
I picked up my phone and pretended to answer a call.
"Hello, Mr. Wang?"
"Something came up and I need to head back today to handle it, that right?"
"Sure, no problem. I'll call you when I get in."
I kept my voice low on purpose, but clear enough to carry.
I hung up and started packing.
Quiet movements, but enough noise to wake a light sleeper.
Marjorie sat up rubbing her eyes, hair tousled, one strap of her nightgown slipping off her shoulder.
She watched me stuff clothes into my bag, disappointment settling across her face.
"Another emergency trip?"
"Client's got an issue. I need to go back and sort it out."
I coiled the charging cable and tucked it into the side pocket.
She sighed and said she'd been planning to take me to a movie today. She'd already bought the tickets. Now they'd go to waste.