32 Oak Street
Letting Go

Two Forty-Three

by LinenCandle · 1mo

The coat had been hanging in the back of my closet for years. I don't even remember when I last wore it.

I put my hand in the pocket and found a crumpled piece of paper. A grocery list in my brother's handwriting.

Two forty-three in the corner, his total. Milk, bread, dish soap, a six-pack—the same things he always bought.

We haven't spoken in six years. Not since the fight over Mom's house.

The pool opened today. I could hear the kids yelling from the parking lot of the hardware store.

I thought about calling him. Told myself I would. But I didn't.

My work gloves have a hole worn through at the thumb. I've been meaning to buy new ones for a month.

I folded the list back into my pocket. Maybe tomorrow I'll call.

Maybe tomorrow.

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Two Forty-Three — 32 Oak Street