(Reese)
The alarm cut through the quiet before I was ready for it.
I reached over, turned it off, lay there for a moment looking at the ceiling. My head was clear in a way that felt settled before I even moved. I didn't question it. I just got up.
Shower. Clothes. Coffee. Each step followed the last without overlap, kept that way on purpose. The morning worked better when I didn't give it room to become something it wasn't supposed to be.
I stood at the kitchen counter with the mug in both hands, letting the day line itself up. Meetings first. Final checks after that. Calls to confirm what still needed confirming. The collection was eleven weeks out, every day between now and then accounted for. Full and moving forward, leaving no space for anything that hadn't been invited in.
Then d
