Last Night

Like he’d done for forty years he placed their breakfast on the table. But since the stroke his wife had little appetite for food anymore. He turned on the morning news while she sat and stared out the window. Later in the garden he picked tomatoes and she watched the sun fall below an orange horizon. As darkness crept into the house, they undressed and prepared for bed. He whispered, “I love you.” To which she had no reply. While searching for her the next morning, he saw the check from the life insurance company laying unopened on the table. flowers born in spring bloom brightest in summer days wither in winter