The house has a different smell when it’s just us.

Not bad. Just different. Like a word you know but can’t quite place.

Gus has claimed the guest room. I’m on the sofa back. Between us we have the whole house accounted for. The frozen bones are in the freezer. It’s Friday.

Someone will open that freezer. I have some confidence in this. Until then — I wait, and the house holds its breath, and so do I.