Awake. Cold, fresh air. Sleepy toes touch the carpet. Birds beyond the bathroom window. Hot water on my closed eyelids. A steamy shower door. Terry cloth around my shoulders. The taste of toothpaste. Wet footprints trace a path to the bedroom. Jeans, a shirt. My favorite pair of flip flops. My keys, my books, the door.

A blown kiss to the cats.

"I'll be back later," I tell them.

- Antiope

 
The mailbox held a bill for our trash removal and a letter from my grandmother.

I didn't have a cork for the bottle of wine I opened earlier this week so I covered the top with several folds of plastic wrap and secured it with a hair tie.