Only Ever Almost
Local Universe
On the fourth day after my son's death, I decided to secretly dissolve my military marriage with my husband.
Before that, I had three days to settle everything for my son.
On the first day, I tricked my husband into signing the cremation papers.
On the second day, I went to the school and collected the textbooks my son would never get to use.
On the third day, I cooked a table full of dishes and begged my husband to celebrate our son's last birthday.
He agreed, but soon after claimed he had a mission. Instead, he spent the entire night setting off fireworks with his childhood sweetheart.
That night, I cooked. Then, I sat alone before my son's photo and ate all my son's favorite foods.
The next day, my husband returned, guilt flickering in his eyes as he handed me a brand-new backpack. He said it was a gift for our child's first day of school.
But he didn't know—our child would never have a first day of school.