Even before I opened the letter I knew what it would say. I tossed my keys on the table, tossed the mail beside them. I knew. I knew and yet I couldn’t bring myself to look. The words we’d shared, no, 'shouted', and the tears I’d shed after his departure were more than enough to make me avoid the inevitable.

Through more tears, I sat alone in the dark, finally drifting off to sleep. Awakened at midnight by a dark presence by my side.

“Kevin?”

“Nick, didn’t you read my letter? I told you I’d be home tonight. I’m back.”