I wasn’t surprised to see Kip on my doorstep next morning, long before I was ready to leave for work. Not that I was unready. I was washed, dressed, fed – sort of – the table was clear, and I sat gazing at the opposite wall, registering nothing. My body was ready; my mind was a mess. The door creaked, and when I turned, Kip was peering around it.

“All right if I come in?”

“Of course you can.”

“I’ve come to check if you still want to ...