The cool air was thick with the scent of violets and from somewhere a distant clock ticked rhythmically. The black and white floor tiles were smooth a...d polished beneath Nicole’s feet and she found herself fascinated by the symmetrical pattern. It reminded her of Nan’s old house back in Cornwall. That house had been sold, probably converted into a guest house or some such monstrosity by now. Nan would have turned in her grave if she’d known, but fortunately she passed away before she was forced. "It was just ten o'clock when Mary kissed John and told him she was headed to bed. "I'm just a plum tuckered out old woman, but I'll wait for you if you want me too." No, that's alright honey you go to bed but I'll be up in a few minutes I just want to catch the start of the ten o'clock news."Mary walked up the stairs then down the hall and noticed that Dianne's door was wide open and she stopped, thinking that she would wish her a good night when she realized that the girl wasn't in the room.. " I smiled and nodded. I had a plan.When we got there we had lunch and I laid down and took a nap. We were planning on shopping on Saturday, but tonight was dinner. My dad said we could go anywhere and I told him to pick the restaurant. He picked an Italian place and I dressed for dinner. I wore a little black dress cut low in the front and one that clung to my body. I wore my long hair down and put on a little makeup. I wore the highest heels I had ever owned. When I came out of the bathroom. I fixed another cup of before dressing and heading to the gym, the next step in my ritual. After losing my parents and graduating, I married my high school sweetheart. We broke up during college at her request and reconnected while my dad was sick. It was a whirlwind romance, we had known eachother our entire lives. We had what seemed like a deeper connection than most, honestly I couldn't have made it through all of this without her by my side. She was amazing, beautiful, full of life and.