In the days that followed, Michael slipped into household routines. He ran grocery errands, fixed a squeaky hinge, and helped Emily with homework. For a moment, it felt like normalcy was returning. But then he noticed three tickets for a play in the closet.
When he asked about it, Sarah laughed lightly. “Oh, Emily and I watched the Peppa Pig adaptation with my friend Anna.” Her explanation was easy, plausible. Michael nodded, letting it go. Yet later, something about the way she had explained it seemed wrong. However, it seemed a minor thing.