Chapter 4 One In, One Out

At 9.20 a.m. on Saturday, the doorbell rang.

Two workers in overalls stood outside with a work order. "We're here to collect the old appliances Mr. Sullivan scheduled for pickup. The refrigerator and television, right?"

The phone number on the order belonged to Caleb. Under the notes, it read, 'Remove them in the morning. Leave space for the incoming delivery this afternoon.'

Before I could make a call, the elevator doors opened.

Caleb stepped out first, followed by Yasmine, who was carrying two food containers she had apparently forgotten to take with her. A mover from her place came out behind them, holding protective foam corners for a television.

The moment Yasmine saw me, she hurried to explain. "Nikki, don't misunderstand. Caleb said your appliances were too old anyway, and since I was replacing mine, I thought you could use them. My double-door refrigerator and television are only three years old. It makes more sense to give them to you than sell them."

I looked at Caleb. "So, you're selling off our appliances first, then bringing in the ones she doesn't want anymore?"

He frowned. "Her appliances cost twice as much as ours did. I'm upgrading our home. How is that a bad thing?"

I stared at him. "Why couldn't we just buy new ones then?"

"Because it's unnecessary."

The words had barely left his mouth before he stopped himself.

As if afraid we were about to start arguing, Yasmine quickly pulled the food containers closer to her chest. "Actually, when your refrigerator started frosting up last year, I told him to replace it for you. He said there was no rush. He figured you could have mine once I upgraded. I replace my appliances pretty often anyway, so he said you could just wait."

Caleb's expression darkened instantly. "Yasmine, stop talking."

But I kept my eyes on him. "So, when we replaced our appliances wasn't determined by when they broke down. It depends on when she decides to buy new ones?"

Caleb forced a smile and tried to explain. "She doesn't think before she speaks. Don't listen to her nonsense."

"But that's exactly how you've been arranging things."

Suppressing his irritation, he reached for my arm. "Nikki, we're married. She lives alone, and new appliances make things easier for her. You have me. If something breaks, I can fix it. Do we really have to rank everyone and everything, even over something like this?"

I stepped away from his hand and let out a soft, mocking laugh. "She has someone, too, doesn't she? She's always had you."

Caleb's lips moved, but before he could respond, one of the collection workers interrupted us. "So, are we taking these or not? We've got other jobs waiting."

Caleb instinctively turned around. "Take them first. I'll explain everything to her afterward."

Those words extinguished the last flicker of hope I had had that he might offer an explanation worth hearing.

The argument dragged on for nearly forty minutes.

…

At exactly 10 a.m., the elevator doors opened again, and three movers emerged with a cart loaded with boxes.

"Ms. Nikki Clarkson?"

Caleb froze.

One of the movers lowered his head to check the work order. "We're only moving clothes, books, work materials, and personal belongings. Men's belongings, wedding photos, and shared household appliances are all staying behind, correct? The destination is Skyview Apartments, with delivery before noon. The new washing machine is being delivered there this afternoon as well?"

Caleb abruptly grabbed the topmost box. "You rented an apartment?"

I did not answer.

Yasmine's old refrigerator was being wheeled out through another elevator at the same time my clothes were being packed onto the moving cart.

One set of belongings was coming in while another was going out.

Standing between the two groups, Caleb felt lost for the first time in his life. He did not know which side to stop first. His fingers tightened around the edge of the box, his knuckles gradually turning white.

"Nikki, get them to stop for a moment. Let's go inside and talk."

I removed his hand from the box. "Sir, please move my things first. Don't hold them up while they bring everything inside."