-That?
He stood in the doorway, his laptop bag still slung over his shoulder. His face had gone pale, not from anger, but from fear. Then the fear faded, replaced by anger.
—I told you not to touch it.
You stared at him.
—It’s a mattress.
—I know what it is.
—So why are you acting like I’m breaking into a safe?
Her nostrils flared. “Because every time you start this cleaning obsession, the whole house turns upside down. Leave the bed alone.”
After that, the room fell silent, a silence that felt more like a blackout than peace.
You lowered your hands slowly. “Why are you so upset?”
He stared at you for a long second, and something in his eyes closed.
“I’m tired,” he said dryly. “That’s all.”
Then he took a shower, ate the reheated leftovers, and spent the rest of the night watching television as if nothing had happened.
You sat next to him, hearing only the word “no”.
