Holding a grease-stained bag of Chinese food in one hand, I jiggle the key in the lock, which always sticks, as if forcing me to pause and collect my thoughts before I go in.

• 我一只手里拿着浸出油渍的中国食品袋，左右拧动钥匙，钥匙眼儿里总是粘粘的，就好像在我进屋之前迫使我停一下让我想一想似的。