Chapter 5

The bedroom in my rented apartment has one bed, one lamp, and a nightstand barely wide enough for a glass of water.

I place my new rescue inhaler in the top drawer, then take the spare from my bag.

For a moment, I consider putting it somewhere else, the way I always did at home.

Instead, I leave both within reach.

I barely sleep the first night.

At two in the morning, I wake with my hand already moving toward the other side of the bed.

My fingers find only cold sheets.

I stare at the empty space, sit up…