The United Parcel delivery man handed Frank the large box and he lugged it into the house and put it on the living-room floor. “My, what’s that, darling?” Lenore came into the room wiping her hands with a dish towel. “From the office. Must be a present of some kind. Heavy.” “Well, go on, open it! I’m excited.” He slit the tape with a letter opener and folded back the flaps. He sat staring at it. “It’s my stuff. My office stuff.” “Why would anybody—” “Pen set, ashtrays, your picture, books—all my stuff.” “Frank . . .” “I’ve been kicked out of my office.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe it.” She knelt beside him on the floor. “Look, there’s a note stuck in there.” He opened the envelope and read aloud: Dear Frank, Thought it was best for everybody, to close things out this way, without going through all the goodbyes and crap up here that might embarrass you.
