Homecoming
Jandi Crocker
Twenty minutes until he’s home....
I scan the kitchen and family room once more and try to see it through his eyes. It’s clean enough. A vase of bright yellow tulips on the table. No dishes cluttering the kitchen bench. None of Emily’s toys on the floor. A tidy house calms him. He’s always worse on Mondays—it’s up to me to do everything I can to keep him happy.
Fifteen minutes....
Slowly, I open the door to the nursery. Emily’s fast asleep in her crib. Her mouth puckers and a little moan escapes. “Shh,” I tell her and gently close the door. With any luck she’ll nap for another hour. The sound of her crying aggravates him—he says it pushes his buttons. He can turn in a second.
Eight minutes....
I pull up my sleeve and inspect the bruise. Today the colours are
