ELOISE
I stood bent over the workbench, a magnifying visor strapped to my forehead, smoothing the sharp edge of a sterling silver pendant with a fine file. The sound of metal against metal was rhythmic, calming, like scraping away slivers of my own fear. Outside, the early sun was bright and unkind, streaking through the high windows to cast harsh white rectangles across the worn wooden floorboards.
Max was at preschool for the day, his bright laughter echoing faintly in my mind as I worked. He had kissed my cheek as I dropped him off whispering “Make something beautiful today, Mama.” Those words clung to me now as armor.
I adjusted the tiny prong of the pendant setting under my visor. Just as I slipped off my visor to inspect the final polish, I heard the faint jingle of the front door
