The following days pass in a blur. I bake dozens of cookies and give them to my neighbors. I go to work, take care of various things I’ve too long neglected, and, yes, cry. I visit Emma daily, go to a couple of Al Anon meetings, and the grocery store, the library. Read. Watch Roku. I’m shocked how disappointing my previous routine feels. My quiet life feels empty, colorless. True, the past month has been fraught with danger, but life with Jo is…exciting. Fulfilling. I didn’t know how drab my life had become until she infused it with vibrant color and energy. The slow pace and quiet that once brought me solace now drive me insane with boredom and…loneliness. I miss my new friends, the community of people I’ve grown to care about. I see my security team each day, but they’ve been instructed
