I drove aimlessly for the remainder of the night and when I came home the following morning it was to an empty apartment.

Upon Cara’s dressing table, which was stripped clean of the little bottles and brushes and mirrors that littered it, a single leaf of notepaper had been taped:

Forrest—

I will write the things that neither of us has the courage to say aloud.

Where to begin? By suggesting that we have grown apart?

No. You cannot separate that which was never together to begin with.

Your phone call yesterday afternoon was the tipping point.

There was no story to chase; I called the paper and spoke to your editor. I hope this other woman, whoever she is, is able to give you whatever it is that I couldn’t, whatever it is you’re lacking. I doubt even you know what that is.

Locking up the townhouse last night I found a parcel on our doorstep. I’m embarrassed to admit that I thought you had left it to surprise me with. But as soon as I opened it and saw the little fetish inside it became very clear to me that you’re walking down a road I would never even set foot upon. Just being in the same house with it last night gave me nightmare after nightmare, when I did manage to sleep that is.

I have nothing more to say. I’ve gone to stay at Mother’s and will arrange to have my things collected. I don’t expect this note to shock or pain you in any way, no matter how much I may wish otherwise.

— Cara

p.s. — I left your little bauble for you. You’ll find it inside your closet.

I locked the townhouse door behind me and immediately relocated to the only hotel I could afford.

I did not return to the house until the movers I’d hired met me there and carried out the furniture I singled out as being mine. Cara’s belongings appeared to have already been collected.

The bedroom closet was never reopened, at least not by my hand. After settling into a small apartment on the far side of the city my first quest was to rebuild my wardrobe, to replace the dress shirts, trousers and various other pieces I abandoned for fear of parting the gate to my own little Neithernor.

It seems my life waxes then wanes. For a time, my cup runneth over, then is drained, after which I strive and scramble to replenish that which has been lost.

6.