Chapter 2: Tuesday Morning

There was no sensible explanation I could see. Barbara wasn’t remodeling or moving. No delivery trucks came and went, and she wasn’t running a business from home. She didn’t seem to be replacing furniture or cleaning out the property.

Still, every morning, more bags appeared.

After that breakfast conversation, I began noticing them constantly. I watched how carefully Barbara tied each knot. I wondered why the bags looked almost square in places, as if they held boxes, books, or picture frames.

On Tuesday, Barbara put four bags at the curb and left for work before the garbage truck arrived.

I wish I could claim I thought long and hard before acting. I didn’t.

I looked both ways along the quiet street, crossed over, and crouched beside the nearest bag. I told myself I would take one quick glance, retie it, and finally put the ridiculous mystery out of my mind.

The knot loosened beneath my fingers. I pulled back the thick plastic.

The instant I saw what was inside, every hair on my arms rose. Continue Reading ⬇️