I married a stranger I met in a hospital waiting room so he wouldn’t die alone—after just one week of marriage, his lawyer handed me his backpack.

like a man keeping track.

Thomas never talked like a man dying.

“Did the cafeteria lady’s grandson pass his driving test?” he asked once.

“I don’t know.”

“He was taking it Tuesday.”

“You remember that?”

Thomas shrugged. “She mentioned it.”

“You remember that?”

Another time, a housekeeper came in humming while she changed the trash bag.

“Morning, Lila,” he said.continue reading …