Chapter 9

We’d spent a good deal of time talking and working through emotions that had built up since the fire.  When we were finally at peace with what had happened and what was between us, we promised each other that we’d work hard to make our marriage work.  No matter what happened in the past, there was a strong love between us that we were sure could be salvaged and reignited.  We sealed our agreement with blissful, passionate love making.  It was as it used to be… as if we’d never returned from our honeymoon.

Waking up from a deep sleep, I felt a need to cuddle, so I rolled over and searched the darkness for my husband.  I was surprised to discover that I had the entire bed to myself.  I opened my eyes and struggled for them to focus on the digital clock.  The red numbers were so bright in the darkness that they hurt my eyes as I waited for the blurriness to clear up.  It was four o’clock in the morning.