Anna's alarm is set thirty minutes later than before, but she can still hear the thunderous footsteps below her and the occasional bark of excitement every morning.

She checks her mail as soon as she returns home instead of waiting till after dinner.

There are no strolls through the park. There are only bowls of ice cream and catching up on the shows she missed or preparing a dinner she'll barely touch.

She hardly leaves the apartment anymore unless it's for work or for groceries. She doesn't want to risk the possibility of seeing him, of seeing his smile.

Not because he's happy without her. Not because she doesn't want to try. It's mostly because if she did see him, she is certain that there was zero chance of her keeping her tears at bay.