He was gone. She awakened and, without even opening her eyes, Lucia knew he wasn’t there. The bed felt cold and empty.

She felt lost. She tried to tell herself it would be alright. Of course it would be alright! She would survive. Other people had survived broken hearts.

But she didn’t see how.

She got up, took a shower, washed her hair, put on a fresh sundress, even made an effort with a little makeup. Look happy, you’ll feel happy, Aunt Em always said.

Not this time, Aunty Em, sorry, Lucia thought.

But she tried. And she told herself she would have made it through the morning without crying...