I reached under the bed.
My fingers touched dust. A lost sock. And then something big. Smooth. Hard-sided.
I grabbed the handle and pulled it out into the gray morning light.
It was Ashton’s black travel suitcase. The rolling one with the dent in the corner from when an airline lost it in Denver. The same suitcase he used to take on business trips, back before my accident. Back when he still traveled.
He hadn’t taken a single trip in two years. He’d turned all of them down so he could stay home with me.
The zipper was partly open.
I knelt there on the floor for a long time with my hand on that zipper. Some part of me knew that once I opened it, I couldn’t close it again. Not really.
Then I pulled it the rest of the way.
Inside, there were clothes. Folded neatly. Ashton always folded his shirts into perfect squares, like a department store. Jeans. Socks. His gray hoodie. His toiletry bag.
He’d packed for several days. Maybe longer.
And on top of the clothes, there was a thick manila envelope.
I picked it up and held it close to my face. There was writing on the front. Big letters, in black marker.
It took me a long time to make it out.
SUTTON.
My name.
My hands started shaking.
I carried the envelope into the living room, to the big front window, where the morning light was brightest. I sat down on the couch. And I slid the papers out.
There were several sheets, stapled together. Typed. Official-looking.
I couldn’t read them. Not at that size. The letters were just little gray smudges on white.
So I pulled out my phone, opened the magnifier, and held it over the top of the first page. I moved it slowly back and forth until the words got big enough and sharp enough.
And then I read the heading.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF MULTNOMAH.
I moved the phone down.
PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.