I rub the soft skin that is wet from him…and me. I push my body up and against him. My other hand moves instinctively to my forehead to wipe my hair...away, moving my blindfold slightly as I do so. We are moving faster, harder. Our breath more ragged. As I start to lose control I realize I can see. I feel my body turn cold in my skin. Barely lit by the silly parrot lights I see brown leather loafers inside Mark’s slightly open gate. A dying leaf floats to the ground beside them. It is too late. I couldn’t believe it. I ran to the window, foolishly thinking she might still be around. When I was sure she was gone, I took the story to my chair and devoured it, learning that she enjoyed having an audience, that after she had gone away she missed my presence and had fallen into loneliness, without song. As I read the words seemed to gather a melody that I had heard her sing in the beginning of the winter, haunting, melancholy, needing. I read the story again, a third time, trying to learn. He had been working a lot — starting early and leaving late — avoiding going home to his empty townhouse that he now just shared with the cat. “Our new place won’t allow pets,” his ex Lucy said as she finished packing the rest of her things into the back of the new guy’s truck. He began to shut down his computer and straighten his desk up. He had a few consultations in the morning but the remainder of his day tomorrow was open. Before he left for the night, he needed to hit the restroom after. He then did the same with Emily and then carried them over to the large window for the others to see. His mask couldn’t hide his enormous grin of love and pride.“Nurse, is there anything I could eat? I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since this morning!” Tina pleaded.“You’re hungry, that’s a good sign. I’m afraid the hospital kitchen is closed and won’t open until breakfast.”“Could she have a sandwich from Timmy’s?” Dan asked.“I guess she could have a bagel or something light on the stomach and no.