Same Time Next Year

by Tessa Bailey

Just lie there and take it.”

I want them to know that I think their son is worth an effort.

Because he is.

I’ve lived with the belief that such a painful tragedy can happen to anyone. At any time. That letting people close meant opening myself up for an eventual blow that I won’t see coming. They will eventually choose someone else over me. They will decide to move on, and I’ll be left lonely and reeling, wondering if I was the problem.

I give my wife what she needs or there’s no use carrying on with my life.