The lamp stayed on longer
than she did. She had
meant to read, to finish
something, to feel like
the day had earned its
ending. Instead, she sat
on the edge of the bed
and listened to the house
settle around her, each
small creak like a breath
released.
Exhaustion had stopped
feeling temporary months
ago. It lived in her
shoulders now, in the
way her hands paused
before reaching for
anything. She didn't
turn the lamp off. She
just lay down beside it,
letting the soft light
keep watch, and
pretended, for a moment,
that she was not alone.