text: “Are you going to be okay?” Melony asked as she gave Amy a parting hug. “I can come over and stay the night if you’d like, we’re all worried about you.” “I’m fine,” Amy replied shrugging out of her sister’s grasp. “I’m just going to stay home tomorrow okay? There’s nothing to worry about.” Melony looked at her dubiously. “Those bags under your eyes tell a different story, I wish you would let us in sis.” It had been the first time Amy could be pinned down for weeks, yet she sat quietly most of the meal. Unable to meet Melony’s gaze Amy turned to leave. “I lost the only person I want to see tomorrow, and I’m not going to replace him,” she said firmly and walked away. The family dinner had actually been quite nice, but since the accident Amy felt a distance between them. An outpouring of love and support welled up on the other side of a wall, waiting to be let in, instead it made her feel even more alone. She arrived at her front door and stood for a shuddering moment, wishing with all her heart he would be there to greet her. Nothing, no call of greeting or welcome home kiss, just a cold empty house. There were still unpacked boxes here and there, the move had been right before the tragedy. With a sigh she took off her shoes and went straight to her room, not daring to gaze the other door in the hall. Two years of marriage and they were finally ready to try, but now that dream was gone as well. After a restless night sleeping in a bed made for two Amy made breakfast. French toast, bacon, extra fluffy scrambled eggs, all his favorites. More than she could eat alone, hardly eating any herself besides, she ate in silence across from an empty chair. She jumped in her seat when her phone rang, then put it on silent. Their day would not be interrupted. It had been planned months in advance, it may have been their last celebration just the two of them and he wanted to make it special. An early morning together, a walk in the park where they first met, coffee from the site of their first date, a full day following the trail of their life together. Amy followed the itinerary, remembering every word, kiss, and caress, the emptiness inside growing with each step. She arrived at the high class establishment where he had proposed wearing a new black dress, the reservation already made. The waiter was perplexed when Amy ordered for two and ate neither, then grew concerned as she began to talk and laugh alone, drinking her second glass of champagne. Tears were in her eyes as she spoke, “You would have loved it! The sky was blue, the birds were singing, even saw some of the of our friends, not that I said hi.” She took another draught from her glass. “It was the perfect day,” she said softly looking down at her glass, ”missing the perfect man to spend it with...” Driving home, slow and unsteady, she decided it was enough. It was time to say goodbye. She started by running a bath of warm water, heading to the kitchen as the water began to fill. Through the haze of alcohol she chose a small cheese knife, the edge kept razor sharp. On the way back she saw the closed door, longing overcame her as she opened it, the crib in the corner silently mocking her. Tears fell quietly as she returned to the tub. She lowered herself in, the fabric of her black dress billowing in the water around her. Cold stainless steel pricked her wrist, drawing slowly down her arm. “I’m tired of waiting for you to come home,” she said quietly with shuddering breath. Then the doorbell rang. Heavy and disoriented she stood from the bath, almost tripping over the edge, wanting to see him one last time. Instead, she found a box. She wrapped her arm in the sleeve of her dress before using the knife on to open it. A framed glass picture, her with Nathan surrounded by her family at their wedding. A note was etched into the back. The day I gained the family I never had. The wall inside her crumbled. Feeling weak, she called Melony. “I’m so sorry, I need help...