Mike sat quietly for a while, thinking. "I don't know, it's all sort of hazy. I remember Emma and me starting our first year of college. I remember going to class some. After that it's all sort of...gray. I dunno...I just...I can't..."

There was a silence, followed by Sarah's broken voice. "Sweetheart, that was about a year ago."

"That can't be right," he said, after a lengthy silence.

Sarah seemed unable to find her voice. She looked as if she were afraid she'd break down crying if she tried to speak.

Mike slipped back into sleep. He dreamed of Emily again. He smelled her perfume again and it brought more...