The Passed Note Issue 9 February 2019 | Page 19

One driveway.

One car.

After my breathing begins to return to a steady pace, I make some hot cocoa. I open the package and the powder fills the air like a mushroom cloud. I sneeze. Just then, the landline starts to ring.

“Hello?” My voice is still breathy.

“Bless you,” a scratchy voice mutters, followed by a monotonous hum of a dead line.

Turn around, look behind you.

Four chairs.

Eighteen books.

One window.

Two cars.

Two cars.