Chapter 16 - THE HOUSE
The townhouse was mine before marriage.
Trent had marital occupancy rights during divorce proceedings until court orders resolved possession.
I wanted the locks changed immediately.
My lawyer said:
“Protective order.”
We obtained one.
Trent retrieved belongings through scheduled access.
I did not throw his suits onto the sidewalk.
Did not burn his shoes.
Did not send bodyguards.
Boring procedure.
Then I entered the kitchen alone for the first time.
The service door was still there.
Stairs beyond it.
I opened the door.
My heart began racing.
Closed it.
Not ready.
My physical therapist later made me practice stairs.
Not those.
Ordinary clinic stairs.
Up.
Down.
Rail.
Balance.
The first time I descended without guarding my wrist, I cried afterward.
May you like
Not because the staircase won.
Because my body had remembered before I wanted it to.
