Four in the morning was much too early for Michael to rise, but he couldn’t sleep. He had been restless when he went to bed the night before, and sleep didn’t come easily for him. Rather than staying in bed, he stood up and, in a semiconscious state, ambled to the kitchen. He made a cup of coffee and moved to the dining room. In the darkness of the early morning, he drank his coffee while thinking about the events of the past two years.

“You’re up early.”

Michael looked up and saw Laura, his wife, sitting on the couch in the adjacent living room. Michael grabbed his coffee, walked toward her, and sat on the couch a few feet away.

“Couldn’t sleep. Lots on my mind. You know what a lousy couple of years it’s been.”

“At least you have your health.” she joked.

“Sometimes I wish I didn’t. Just fade away. Be with my loved ones.”

“Don’t talk like that!” she demanded. “You have too much to live for. You scare me sometimes.”

“I know. I’m sorry. The kids are young and needy. My boss is old and needy. This house is somewhere in between and always in need of something.”

Laura sat for a minute, looking into Michael’s sad eyes. She replied “And don’t forget me. I’ll always need you.”

“Thanks. I’ll never forget you. You know that.”

“Today’s our anniversary. I know you remember that.” she added. “It’s been two years.”

“Yes, I know. I still wish I could have been with you that night. Things would be different now. A lot different. I shouldn’t have let you go to the party without me.”

“You can’t change the past, honey. Just the future.” She paused again for a minute, and then said, “You look tired. Go back to bed.”

Michael stood up and walked toward the bedroom. He turned to watch Laura, mesmerized by her beauty. Between yawns, he replied, “I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

Michael climbed in bed, and in a few seconds, he was fast asleep.