The back door opens with a loud creak as I step inside, sliding off my dirt-caked boots ever so quietly in the kitchen. It squeaks again when I close it behind me, shutting out the night. I hope I didn’t wake them. The kids have school tomorrow, after all.

It’s been such a long day. I’m so tired. Knowing I’m about to crawl in next to her makes it all worthwhile. She sustains me. We were made for each other. It feels so good to be home, among the people who care about me.

As I climb the stairs, silent as a mouse, the soft breathing from Kate and Steven’s room makes my heart melt. I love them so much. After what feels like an eternity and a river of affectionate tears, I finally find the will to turn around; knowing that I’ll be seeing them soon. The bedroom smells of her. She’s perfect. So, it’s all I can do but to just stand there in the dimly illuminated doorway coated in the soft light of the outside street lamp as it shines its meager glow onto my back. I could stand here all night, just watching her, – I have done before, many times.- but my back aches from hunching in that tree branch all day and my heart yearns for the embrace of my one and only.

My jeans fall to my ankles as I wrap the leather belt into a bundle, keeping it bunched up in my fist as I remove my t-shirt and socks. They’re all so dirty. They’ll be clean by the morning though. Really clean, like my conscience. Pure, like my intentions. We’ll be together forever, in paradise. I just know it. A light breeze from the open window caresses my naked body. Cooling it. Warming me up. I’m ready now. I hope she is too. 

She always did love to covet the covers. Endearingly selfish, is my Edna. I love her, but she can be so… No, I can’t lie. She’s perfect in every single way. If only she’d believed me after I told her when we first met; before that silly restraining order. Even God makes mistakes. I don’t blame her. It doesn’t matter anymore.

Prising the sheets from her light, dreamful grip, I slide limb-by-limb into the bed with Edna until I’m finally holding her. I knew we’d be together again. Written in the stars. Destiny, eternal and true. Eternity doesn’t lie. She places her hand over mine and squeezes, groaning lovingly; like a lonely wife. She doesn’t have to be lonely anymore. I’m here now.

“Mmmm- Mark? I thought you weren’t coming home till’ friday… “

Despite my pleading for silence, I have to use the belt, and I tell Edna how sorry I am that she’s in so much pain. I whisper sweet nothings about our past life in ancient Egypt, looking out from the palace over the Nile hand-in-hand. We’ll be together forever, I promise.