ral, Jessica finally ca

lock, a sound that now

around me, but the faint, cloying scent of expensive perfume cl

m, her eyes landing on the cheap sympa

l? Oh,

d she rushed towards

work sooner, they were so short-staffe

Tears streamed down her face

ve. I just

pull me into a hug. I s

buried in my chest, though I didn't embrace

rching mine. "We'll get through this. I'll make

ow? By buying him a p

ared. "Make it up to him?" My

hift. Her feigned grief f

she tried to steer m

er hand stroking my arm, her body pressing close. "Let m

ume, mingled with the lingering smell of her expensive

om her, a sharp,

from me,

se, then something harder. "Michael,

The question hung in

of sorrow cracking. Frust

Our son is dead, and y

e didn't understand anyth

of pure annoyance. "

nto the bedroom, slammi

om, the silence heavy. The cha

s still there, immense and crushing, but the c

who she