22
Sometime during the night, Karen felt the covers being pulled back as Dan joined her.
The fire had burnt out, so she figured it must be several hours since she had left him downstairs.
His body felt like ice as he snuggled up to her, wrapping his arms around her for warmth.
Karen suddenly caught a whiff of his breath. The smell was pungent enough to make her gag. She surmised that he had probably thrown up during the night, but had not bothered to brush his teeth afterwards.
She turned her head and buried her face in the pillow to tray and block out the stink.
They were woken early the next morning by Charlotte crying.
Reluctantly, Karen threw back the covers and shivered as she went to the crib to see to her daughter.
Dan stirred, then turned over and went back to sleep.
Karen
