Our house suddenly seemed huge and painfully silent.
His favorite armchair was still next to the room window.
Her jacket still hung up exactly where she left off.
I couldn’t force myself to change anything.
I stopped attending social gatherings.
I ignored phone calls.
Some mornings I had a hard time finding a reason to get out of bed.
People were trying to help me, but I used to push them away.
Susan refused to leave me.
He showed up with food bags when I forgot to eat.
I would invite myself to drink coffee when I had been locked up at home for too many days.
And when I had no strength to speak, he would just sit by my side quietly.
I thought I understood my pain better than anyone.
