Page 86 of The Secret to Belonging

in the morning you wake smiling

still enchanted from the night

you’re so grateful Alison was there to see it

you don’t know how you’ll possibly describe it to Maura

if only you and Espen had made love under the lights

but premarital sex is frowned on in his parents’ house

and honestly, waiting builds excitement

you glance across the room

Alison sleeps, makeup smudged

one arm hanging down

you pull on thick socks

sneak downstairs

find Espen already dressed at the table

troubled

hva er det? you ask. what’s wrong?

ingen ting, he says. nothing important

but we have to leave today

today? i thought we were staying longer

yesterday was so magical—

i’m sorry, he says.

he’s never interrupted before

he won’t look at you

we have to get back

Espen?

the rest of the morning is a blur

clothes stuffed into suitcases

thanks offered to Berit and Terje

promises made to return

you feel anxious

Alison won’t look at you either