Stirring the Sheets

by Chad Lutzke

He turns the body onto its side and climbs into bed fully clothed, shoes gripping his tired feet. Lying close to her, he caresses the corpse’s hair. It’s soft and recently washed and feels like Kate’s. It is Kate’s. This isn’t romance. This is intimacy. This is coping. And this is needed. "I just wish you were here…" He breathes deep into her neck, finds her rigid hand and holds it tightly. Then drifts off to sleep.