The Envelope That Changed Everything

on the porch with Samuel, mugs of coffee warming our hands. The ocean reflected moonlight in broken silver paths.

“You’re different,” he said, not as a question.

“I feel different,” I replied.

“Lighter,” he said.

“Yes,” I said. “And steadier.”

He smiled, quiet and knowing. “Those two things rarely arrive together.”

We stood without speaking, listening to continue reading …