Summary

Preservation: In Preservation, Sandy’s husband loses his job. He starts to spend his days on the couch, all day. He has been there for three months when the story begins. Sandy does not feel inclined to talk about it to anyone. She is upset, and she does not know what to do, but the one person she confides in acts like it isn’t out of the ordinary.

One night when Sandy comes home from work, the refrigerator has stopped working. Everything is melted, thawed, and ruined. Sandy’s husband says he will look at the classified ads; maybe they can get a used 'fridge at a bargain price. He finds a listing for an auction, which Sandy agrees they should attend. Her husband does not want to go, but Sandy insists she will. She starts cooking dinner, and remembers going to...