A travel basinet, a load of diapers, a few onesies that I’d brought from a secondhand store.
The baby’s stuff takes up most of the space in the duffel bag. I pack my things on top. A few threadbare dresses, a tiny bag of makeup. And a small velvet pouch containing the wedding ring that Artem gave me.
Once the contents of my life have been packed away into a single bag, I hoist it onto my shoulder and look around the space.
Water-stained walls and a rickety table look back at me.
At least there won’t be anything about this place to miss.
But the moment I think it, I realize that it’s not the place I’ll miss, but the people.
Gabby and her daughters.
Cranky old Ruby, surly Jose, kind Marti.
And Sara, with sapphire eyes like Cillian’s.
I’ll never see any of them again.