MY LIFE EXPOSED

MIKE

All the way to the cemetery, Emily remained silent. Although Olivia dropped her off at the front beside me, she refused and climbed in the back. I was pretty nervous.

When this woman showed up, I felt emotions I thought had been buried when my wife died. I had no control over what my body did. My eyes darted to the rearview mirror, where I could see her sublime face.

My hands were sweating more and more on the steering wheel. What I felt for her was different. It was stronger than those playful butterflies inside us. It was more tender than the purest flower. I was so passionately devoted that I would have fought anyone or anything just to see her beaming face.

When we reached the cemetery, I caught her wandering gaze in the rearview mirror, but she didn’t ask. It was clear she was waiting for an explanation, an honest one from me. She was so shy and withdrawn. She acted like a frightened child pining in her mother’s protective shadow. I hated myself for being so stupid.

“Come