North Carolina Boundary Lines Drawn on an Oak Desk

dust, a familiar scent that usually made me feel safe, but today it only added to the weight in my chest.

Elaine was typing rapidly on her laptop, her fingernails tapping against the plastic keys with a rhythmic, sharp sound.

“Did you find anything in the committee travel files?” I asked, sitting in the wooden chair next to her.

“The official travel logs continue reading …