After changing schools, one of the first places I went was the library. That was not unusual for me. Wherever I went, the library was where I oriented myself. It was the one room that felt the same everywhere. The library was small and usually empty. It smelled of dust and old paper, and most…

This morning, as I went to the kitchen to make coffee, I noticed the dishwasher had finished its cycle and needed emptying. I can do that while the coffee brews, I thought. But a voice inside me said: No. That’s boring. I don’t feel like it. So I made a bargain: I’ll just start with…