Project Lazarus

inst the sheets. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, and glanced

o stay in bed a few more minutes, kiss my forehead, and tell me dumb jokes to start the day. Now

oast filled the air. It used to be coffee. He knew how I liked it-hazelnut creamer, one sugar, an

dow, dressed in a clean shirt and slacks, sipping black coffee

ressed up

me, nodding. "I'm goi

tightened

walked past me to grab his blazer from the hook. "The agency can'

was his pride. He'd built it from nothing. But something abou

asked, biting the

I need this, Leona. I need

I

at the door, then finally moved to the table. I poured myself a cup of coffee-with

it w

-

elance article about sleep habits. I'd read the same s

s been my safe place, the place where I created, imagined,

verything e

to check in. But today, I didn't. I wanted to give him space. That's what

before the distance

oss the street, Mrs. Deeks was trimming her roses again, hu

he only one s

at the clo

bbed my phone

swered on th

ound casual. "Just checki

n holding up well. I'm going throug

ut the way he spoke-it was too smooth. T

around six," he added.

d. "Okay.

ve you." He always used to say

all ended, then slowly set it down. Maybe I w

Maybe

-

ough the door with Thai food in his hands. Pad Thai,

how was playing. Harryson barely watched it. He seemed lost

Ate like him. Smiled i

dn't feel

i and it was so spicy you started crying?

ttle. "Yeah. I think y

d it like a champ. You were th

didn't reach hi

nto silen

ng how he didn't even glance back. That small gesture he used to do-turning

ugging my knees, star

overy? Or was I watching

-

etending to scroll on my phone while listening for his footsteps

by one. I watched him out of the corner of my eye. H

ng on his side. No arm aro

d to fa

being back?"

looking at the cei

feel lik

t maybe that's just h

Do you still feel l

o look at me. "Do y

ut couldn't find the words. I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want t

now," I sa

nce and clo

lowed into sleep. Even then, I didn't move. I just stared at t

-

coffee, quiet conversations, fake smiles. He left for work with

started days ago. Words came slowly. My mind kept drift

pt

t plan to. My fingers just moved

n you love comes home... but

t was asking the same question I

have an

t

ng I'd find it-on