Sophie and Paul are still on the couch. A candle burns on the side table. Their feet are touching. Just the side of Sophie’s right foot against the side of Paul’s left. No toes. They are both wearing socks. Paul’s socks are worn; his toe shows through just a bit. The radio is off, the dishwasher chugs in the background. There is no sound from the baby monitor. The baby is asleep. So is everyone outside, in the world. Or so Paul assumes. He yawns.
Paul thinks about work tomorrow. He wonders if he’ll be hungover. He sips Helen’s wine. Or his wine now, as Helen’s leftover wine is long gone. Her lipstick stains are gone too. Licked off.
Why would Sophie plan a dinner party for a Monday night? Now Paul has the whole week ahead of him. No chance to recover. Sophie said something about having
