Unit 14 – Chapter 2
Eric sits on the living room sofa, a medical journal open on his lap, his glasses perched on his nose. He hasn’t turned a page in twenty minutes. His focus is on the kitchen, where Tori moves in the morning light, and on the front door, which Ted Mendez will knock on any minute. Tori wears a simple yellow sundress, the kind that ties at the shoulders. She’s nervous. She keeps smoothing the fabric over her hips, glancing at Eric, then away. “You sure you’re okay?” she asks, her voice softer than usual. “Just a headache. It’ll pass.” Eric adjusts his glasses, a practiced gesture of his. “Don’t let me interrupt. You just… be the homeowner. Show him the faucet.” The knock is three solid, unhurried thumps. Ted doesn’t use the doorbell. Tori jumps, a …