More came out. Strands of his own hair, long and ginger, tangled with what looked like cat fur (they’d never owned a cat). A bobby pin. The ghost of a cotton ball. Finally, with a wet, sucking sigh, the drain released. The water spun into a lazy vortex, then vanished with a hollow gurgle.
He fetched the plunger first—the small sink-sized one, which was optimistic. Three hard pumps sent a belch of foul air up through the drain, but the water level didn’t drop. It just shivered, as if mocking him. unblocking a bath
The water sat in the tub like old tea, unmoving and brown-tinged, hours after Liam had climbed out. He stood in the doorway, towel still damp on his shoulders, staring at the greasy ring left behind. More came out