Chapter 28In the morning, I awoke groggy and my body aching, but still retaining that same sense of newness. I stretched and smiled and looked to Gayle’s side of the bed. She wasn’t there. I exhaled with a long sigh, as my body relaxed, and then I pushed myself up and forced my legs to carry me to the door.
As I crept down the hallway, I could see the light of day flooding into the living room ahead. The television was on, but playing softly. Moving closer, I first saw her arm, then the side of her face and shoulders, as she sat curled up on a reclining chair. Gayle was resting her head against her elbow and watching television, when I stepped into view. From the corner of her eye, she saw me and lifted her head, turning and giving me a warm smile.
“Morning, sleepy,” she said softly, tak
