Paul was on the verge of going stir crazy.  For some reason, he was having a hard time focusing on picking something to do with his day, then actually doing it.  A thought crossed his mind to return to the trail for that hike that had eluded them both.  That idea was an instant no-go, as he remembered the interior of his car still smelled of sex, sweat, and Charlette.  Him, too, of course.  But his was the least favorite of those pungent scents.<br/><br/>Well, hell, he thought.  Yardwork it is then, already bored with the concept.  The grass needed cutting, trees required some pruning, shrubs and bushes had looked like they could use some trimming, too.  There were probably a few other chores to perform, but those were the major ones for the time being.<br/><br/>To steal a beloved phrase, Paul did love the smell of fresh-cut grass in the mornin’.  The gasoline’s aroma from the lawn mower wasn’t too bad either.  That task complete, he removed his t-shirt to enjoy the sun’s rays beating down on his bare skin.  While what to do next was under careful consideration, he hoped Charlette had a productive day with her classes and that work wasn’t so busy for her.  When did she have the time for homework?<br/><br/>Relaxing on the recliner with his feet up and a third IPA in hand, Paul was enjoying the early evening.  Though not as much as he was soaking up reading the third and final volume of the<i>Relics </i>series by Tim Lebbon.  Its title was<i>The Edge.  </i>He hadn’t eaten any dinner yet, but meh, what was the rush?<br/><br/>No sooner had that thought crossed his mind, than Charlette walked in.  Her phone was pressed to her ear and she was still in mid-conversation.  Following a hasty hanging of her purse on a hook by the door, she planted herself on the couch.  Paul quietly slipped a bookmark into the novel and placed it on a nearby table.<br/><br/>She eventually hung up and put an arm over her face, covering her eyes.  “What’s up sw-, uh, you okay, Charlette?” Paul asked, already concerned.  He very nearly called her “sweetie,” but stopped himself just in time.  Paul didn’t think he’d earned the right to call her that just yet, if ever.