Chapter 234

When I blow the candle out, the smoke curls like a question mark and then like a ribbon letting go.

I take that as an omen only because I choose to.

The kitchen is thunder by the time I pass it. Marta’s spoon is a scepter. She sees me and her mouth arranges itself into the line that means eat now or we argue in a way that makes men leave the room. I take the bread she presses into my hand and the