Boiling water is the saddest sound in the world when you’re cooking for one.I stand over the stove, watching the bubbles rise and burst, tossing a handful of linguine into the pot. It’s Friday night. My "big plans" involve a jar of marinara sauce, a half-bottle of Pinot Grigio, and probably falling asleep on the couch watching reruns.I stir the pasta, the steam curling around my face. I feel… heavy. Not just tired, but hollowed out. The adrenaline from the Zoom meeting two days ago has faded, leaving a quiet, gnawing ache in its wake.I plate the pasta. I pour the wine. I sit at my small, round dining table, staring at the empty chair across from me."Bon appétit, Mia," I whisper to the silence.The lights in the apartment suddenly flicker.I freeze, fork halfway to my mouth. I didn't touch the switch.The harsh white overhead LEDs dim, softening to a warm, amber glow. It’s instantaneous—my sad little kitchen suddenly looks like a moody bistro in the West Village.Then, music.A low
Last Updated : 2025-12-27 Read more