Page 45 of Mountain Boss

The color surprises me. I would have pictured her with something else. Maybe green, because she wore that color on the first day. Maybe pink, because I’m a dumb man and don’t know what colors women actually like.

I reach out and place my hand on the bedspread, wanting to feel the material.

With the material between my fingers, I can’t help but picture her in bed with someone. Breathing heavy. Arms over her head.

Is she running from a relationship?

Is she married?

Getting a divorce?

That would explain a lot.

The move across country.

The vehicle filled with her possessions.

Does it explain the tears from yesterday?

I run my hand down the blanket and frown.

Why does this feel so lumpy?

I reach up and grip the top corner of the blanket.

I shouldn’t be touching her bed.

I flip the blanket back anyway.

And I stare.

At clothes.

“What the hell?”

I look back at the dresser.

Did she fill the drawers already and… what? Decided to hide her clothes rather than leave them in a stack?

I slide my fingers under one of the sweatshirts to lift it.

And I pause.

Because my fingers touch wood.

I shove the sweatshirt to the side.

Plywood stares up at me.

My exhale gets knotted in my chest.

I push more of the clothes aside, exposing more of the rough board below.

I…

I can’t make sense of what I’m seeing.

I shove all the clothes away.

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