Instead - Chapter 1
Instead - Chapter 1
Instead - Chapter 1
— pa m houston
O c to b er 2 0 2 0
Instead ∙ 4
My back began to ache. I’d lost track of how long I’d been standing at the
high writing desk in our bedroom. I looked up from the computer and
through the windows. The house is southeast facing, but I could register
from the light on the river, the colours of the clouds, that the sun was
low in the sky. Dag had been gone longer than I’d expected. I felt a pang
of worry and frustration that I couldn’t reach him by phone. Then I told
myself he’d be home any minute. I decided to make soup for supper. We
had a cauliflower, onions, some good Parmesan. I headed down to the
living room and kitchen. I was reaching for the vegetables, a knife, and
cutting board, when I heard a loud knocking at the door. He’s forgotten
his keys again.
“Coming!” I called, running down the stairs to the windowless en-
trance hall. I pulled open the wooden front door. Instead of Dag, there
was a swarthy, solidly built man wearing heavy boots, a dark sweater,
5 ∙ Chapter 1
Instead ∙ 6
7 ∙ Chapter 1
Instead ∙ 8
9 ∙ Chapter 1
Instead ∙ 10