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.

are where life quietly hides.”

I looked around the park.

Children were chasing pigeons.

Someone walked a sleepy golden retriever.

An elderly couple argued cheerfully over a crossword puzzle.

Life hadn’t paused.

Only I had.

Life hadn’t paused.

The following Tuesday, I went to the botanical garden.

Afterward I wandered through the farmers’ market. Bought peaches continue reading …