Once I finally wake up, I begin to slowly stretch as I sit up and open my eyes while wiping the sleep out of them. As I do, I realize that Brandon is gone. His side of the bed is cold as I slide my hands across the silky sheet and wonder, “How long has he been gone?”

Yawning, I struggle to climb out of bed because my feet are tangled up under the covers. Once I free myself, I stand and stretch once again before walking over to the black, room-darkening curtains and open them all at once. Something feels strange this morning as I scan the room and...