Chapter 3

I jumped to my feet while digging my fingers into the corner of the table.

“I’ve opened four boxes! All four taste exactly the same! Is this supposed to be food for humans?

“There are over thirty of us here, and we’ve only had two hardtack biscuits since noon yesterday. We saved our appetites for this hot meal, and this is what we get!”

“Liam, do you have any idea what the temperature is like in the disaster area right now? It’s 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

“The mud’s up to our knees, Louis’ leg wound has already started to fester, and we still have to wade through the water to deliver supplies!”

His voice cracked. He took a couple of ragged breaths before continuing.

He said, “That guy in charge of supply distribution didn’t say a thing. He just said, ‘It’s an emergency purchase. If there’s a problem, take it up with the higher-ups.’

“Take it to the higher-ups? Where are the higher-ups? I’ve made over a dozen calls, and no one’s picking up!

“Your wife used to feel so bad for you working late on quality control. Why is she personally leading the team to seal off your shipment this time?”

Those words pierced me like a rusty nail.

I took a deep breath as I forced down the metallic taste in my throat.

“David, listen up. Take photos of the stinking meal boxes as evidence and record the disaster victims’ symptoms and the doctors’ diagnoses.

“Secure the evidence. Don’t give it to anyone. Wait for my call.”

I went home that evening.

As I pushed open the door, the scent of houseplants filled the room. She used to say the house needed to be full of life. I would tease her that whatever she grew would die. Then, she would chase me with her slippers.

The leaves were a glossy green, but they only made the living room feel emptier.

I went into the bedroom and dragged out my suitcase.

The photo of us was still sitting on the nightstand.

It was taken last fall when we went hiking. The two of us leaned against each other. She was making a peace sign with a smile, her canines showing.

I did not take that photo.

I was halfway through packing when the code lock on the front door beeped.

Joanne was back.

She came in after changing her shoes and saw the suitcase on the floor. Her expression darkened.

“Liam, there’s a limit to throwing a tantrum, isn’t there?”

I did not say anything and kept packing.

“Kevin has been blaming himself all day over what happened online. He hasn’t eaten a thing and has been apologizing to me nonstop.

“Are you trying to threaten me by running away from home now?”

The disaster victims were vomiting after eating rotten food, and my company was on the verge of bankruptcy from being cyberbullied all over the internet.

Yet she was worried about Kevin not eating.

I zipped up the suitcase and stood up.

I walked to the entryway, took the house key off my keychain, and set it on the shoe cabinet.

The metal clattered against wood with a crisp sound.

Only then did I speak. “I’m not threatening you. I’m just making room for you.”

I opened the door and walked out.

No footsteps followed me. Only the living room light remained on.

The day after I moved into a hotel, Joanne showed up.

She had not changed out of her uniform yet. The metal clasps on her shoulder straps were glinting.

She first glanced at the laptop bag on the bed and the instant noodle cup in the corner of the desk.

The curtains were still drawn, and the room was dim.

She frowned slightly. It was a tiny frown, but I caught it.

Then, she stepped inside, set the folder on the desk, and pulled out a chair to sit down.

Before sitting, she patted the seat with her hand. Then, she brushed her palm against it. She only sat down after confirming it was clean.

With the file resting on the desk, her tone softened slightly, though it still carried that “I’m here to deliver the proposal” undertone.

“Why did you move out? To make a spectacle of yourself?”

She tapped the file. “The department’s final decision has come down.”