I began arranging the items one by one. I placed the books on the empty shelf. I carried the mugs and the blanket to the upstairs bedroom. There was no sound except the scrape of cardboard and my own breathing. After everything was arranged as needed, I sat at the edge of the new bed.
My phone vibrated. Video call: Gabriel.
I answered. The screen showed the interior of the black car. Gabriel sat in the back seat, still wearing a dark shirt and coat. His hair was neat, his eyes cold as usual, no sign of fatigue on his face.
“After this I have another meeting until night.”
I only nodded. “Alright.”
Gabriel observed the background behind me, the new bedroom wall, the mattress, the folded blanket.
“You have arranged your things,” he said flatly.
“A little. I just finished.”
“You have n
