I Was Lifting Our Heavy Mattress to Search for an Earring I Had Dropped Behind the Bed-frame.. I Expected to Find Some Dust, but What Was Carefully Taped Beneath His Side of the Mattress Made Me Sit Down on the Uncovered Floor

I turned back to the mirror. My favorite earring slipped out of my fingers.

It hit the floor with a tiny ping and rolled straight into the dark, narrow gap behind our heavy wooden bed frame.

« No, no, no, » I whispered, dropping to my knees.

I should say something here.

Lately, small things had been off. Nothing I could point to without feeling foolish.

Ethan had started carrying his phone into the bathroom. He flinched a little when the mail landed on the counter.

He’d told our cleaning lady, gently but firmly, not to touch his side of the bed.

« I organize it a certain way, » he said, smiling. « You know how I am. »