When morning came, Ashley hadn't slept a wink. The image sat heavy, where sleep should've been. Julian, a small boy in his arms, the child's hand fisted in his shirt like it belonged there and the most natural thing in the world.
At 5:30 am she eased out of bed. The floor was cold, like her marriage felt at the moment. She stood there longer than she meant to, listening to the steady sound of his breathing. He looked younger while asleep. His innocence while in bed, made it worse.
She dressed quietly, jeans, a soft sweater, hair in a low knot that didn't care to be neat. She took a card from the nightstand and wrote on the back.
Gone to Brooke's. I need some air. We'll talk later, promise. —A
She left it on his side of the dresser where he'd see it first. Her phone buzzed in her palm. She'd typed the message three times and never sent it. Now she did.
Ashley: Coming over. Sorry it's early.
Brooke: Door's open. Coffee on. Hurry.
