He selected Change of Address . The machine asked for his old zip code. He typed 19102. It asked for his new zip code. 19122. Then it asked for a credit card.
The woman laughed politely, the way you laugh at a customer who doesn’t understand their own life. “I’m sorry, sir. I wish I could help.” usps change of address won't accept my card
Arthur leaned his forehead against the cool metal of the kiosk. He closed his eyes. Behind his lids, he saw the front porch of 1423 Cedar, the one he’d rebuilt with his own hands after the nor’easter of 2015. He saw the mailbox—that old rusted thing with the bent flag—where he’d once found a letter from Claire, back when they were dating, written on lavender paper. Dear Arthur, I think I’m falling in love with you. He selected Change of Address
Arthur slid his Visa into the slot. The machine chewed it, paused, and spat it back out with a sound like a wet raspberry. It asked for his new zip code
“But that’s the point,” Arthur said. “I’m trying to tell them I’m moving.”
He hung up and stared at the boxes. One was labeled Winter Coats / Dad’s Ashes . He hadn’t been able to bring himself to write just Urn . Another said Kitchen – Broken Things because he hadn’t known how else to categorize the mismatched mugs and the wine glasses that Claire had left behind, the ones with the hairline cracks.