Summary

In “The Surprise in the Wardrobe,” Arthur begins the day with his usual routine, changing nothing even after the death of his beloved wife, Miriam. He awakens at 7:30, showers, dresses in gray pants and a mustard-yellow sweater-vest, shaves, eats breakfast at 8:00, lightly cleans the kitchen, and gets on with his day. But on May 15, things are different because it is the one-year anniversary of Miriam’s death. Arthur now lives alone, as Miriam is dead and his children, Dan and Lucy, are both grown. Arthur feels lonely, but he does his best to avoid Bernadette Patterson, his neighbor who worries for him. Arthur takes comfort in routine, but Bernadette frequently interrupts his daily routine. Today, she gives him a lilac-colored leaflet with the words “Bereavement Buddies” on it. Arthur puts it with other similar flyers in...