I asked her more than once what it was.
She would just smile and say, « For your first home together. »
That was all she would tell me.
I should say this too: Edwin never liked handmade things.
He liked things sleek and expensive and new.
He liked minimalist furniture, neutral colors, and things that looked untouched and impractical.
The first time he came to my parents’ house, he looked around at the framed school photos, the quilt on the couch, and the ceramic bowl by the door.
Later in the car, he said, « Your family is nice, but wow, they really love… old stuff. »
I gave him a nervous little laugh, wondering if he was joking or mocking us.
« They love memories, » I told him.
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