December arrived. I came into the darkened family room, followed by the dogs. A soft snow was falling in the last pale light of early winter. I watched it through the bay windows as I sat on the couch, Jester and Jake lying at my feet. I slowly twisted the horseshoe ring I still wore on my right hand. I laid my head back on the couch and sighed. Andy had informed me he would be moving out after the first of the year. I had tried to say something to him about that not being necessary but he merely raised his hand to silence me and walked away. I looked at the corner where Claudia should be standing by now. Was I back to where I was before I met Andy? The way I had been after Patti had died? I felt the emptiness begin to weigh upon me.
“This hasn’t been easy for you, has it?” came a voice f
