---- And now? I had no desire to waste a second more on someone who didn't deserve it. Dennis didn't take me to the master bedroom- the one that used to be mine. Instead, he led me to a guest room. He explained, "My friend... he's a little proud. He told people this was his house, so he's been using the master bedroom for now. Once things settle down, I'll have the housekeeper clean it up for you. You can move in then, okay?" "Mm." I set down my bag. He looked at me for a moment, then said, " Knowing you, you probably don't enjoy noisy scenes anyway. Rest here for now. I'll take care of things." After he left, I reached into my pocket and took out a small stone. Etched into it were the words: Peace and Joy. A ---- little boy gave it to me. He had lost both his parents. He was all alone. His small, dark hands placed the stone in mine, as he said, in halting English, "This is for you. You can give it to someone you love, so they'll always be safe." I accepted it, and stood up to find some candy for him. But before I could move, a gunshot rang out. He dropped in front of me, a bullet to the head. I screamed, hysterically, trying to resuscitate him, but a colleague pulled me away. Now, pulled back to the present, I opened the guest room door and finally took a good look at the house. Earlier, I'd been too overwhelmed to notice. ---- But now, I saw it clearly-signs of another woman were everywhere. In the bathroom, a towel and skincare products. Flowers on the coffee table. A baby bottle. Toys.