The next day Mort hobbled out of bed early and returned to his computer while Sarah still slept.

She woke up at around noon rolling over and trying to place her arm around him but he wasn't there.
She sat up a bit groggy and stretched, her fingers rubbing against her stomach.

She looked around and called his name but he didn't answer.
She stood up and went into the bathroom and slipped on her robe.

Once she had wrapped herself up she went into the study and found Mort typing away again.
"Hey," She said lightly and placed her hands on his shoulders, her head resting on top of his.
Mort turned around and shook her off of him. "Hey..."
"What's wrong?" She asked as she tried to read his story, she couldn't help how curious she was about it.
"Nothing, just you, you're always touching me." He said and continued to type.
She looked around wondering if she had heard him right and sighed, "What?"
"You're always touching me, I'm trying to concentrate." He replied and spun around to face her again.
"Fine, fuck it then." She turned around and went to walk back into the bedroom but he stood up and stopped her, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Don't go, I'm sorry." He said into her left ear and kissed her cheek. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Whatever Mort." Sarah pulled away from him and turned to face him. "Just continue writing."
"Aw, babe, seriously, I'm sorry. I was just at a crucial part in the chapter, that's all." He replied and sat back down shutting off the computer. "See, there, like you said, fuck it, I'm done."
"Seems to me like this story has you off in another world." Sarah noted as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Mort followed her and asked, "What do you mean off in another world?"
"I mean, what it sounds like, off in another world. You're not acting like yourself." Sarah opened the refrigerator and pulled out one of his mountain dews.
"Whatever." He shrugged and sat at the kitchen table.
"So just tell me what it's about?" She sat next to him and pulled back the tab.
Mort looked at her with impatient eyes. "It's about life, okay, that's all."
"Yeah, that's what you said last night." She remembered.
"Then why ask again?" He questioned annoyed with her.
"Because, I want to know about what's got you so stumped or what not, maybe I can help." She offered and took a sip of her pop.
Mort shook his head firmly. "No way, no outsider help on this one."
"Hm... alright, so it's about life, life where?" She asked.
Mort sighed realizing that she wouldn't stop asking questions until he provided some answers, even if they were bull shit.
"Life around here." He replied quickly.
"What person narrative?" She asked.
"1st person." He answered and stole a sip of her mountain dew.
"I like those." She smiled. "You write those well. Hell, you write anything well."
Mort returned her smile and gave her drink back.
Just then the phone rang.
Mort stood up and answered it, happy to get away from Sarah's questions.
"Hello?"
"Mort?" Amy screamed into his ear, sobbing.
Mort tapped his foot not wanting to hear from her but worried at how she sounded. "Amy, are you okay?"
Sarah spun around at the mention of Amy's name and shot him a glare that sent needles up his spine.
"Oh Mort, Chico...." She cried, referring to their old dog.
"Chico?" Mort looked down at Sarah and shook his head signaling for her not to worry.
"Chico, he's, he's dead." She sniffed.
"Chico's dead? " He exclaimed feeling a pain in his heart, he really did love that dog and it was hard for him to let Amy keep it after their divorce.
"Yes, I went to go feed him this morning and he was laying on the couch and he didn't move... so I shook him and he was-was dead." Her sobbing started up again.
Mort looked down at the floor. "Oh Amy, I'm so sorry. I can't believe it, but Chico was getting old, the poor thing."
Amy sniffed. "Mort, will you help me burry him in the garden, I'm sure you don't want to see me after the other day, but, but, just for Chico's sake?"
Mort sighed and looked at Sarah who was pulling on the tab of her pop anxiously.
"Alright, but only because of Chico." He said sadly. "I'll be over there in a few."
"Okay, goodbye Mort, thank you."
"Bye Amy." He hung up the phone.
Sarah looked at him and cleared her throat.
"What happened to Chico?"
"He passed away this morning." Mort replied sadly and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you don't want to hear this, but I promised Amy that I'd go over there and burry him with her, it's only the right thing to do."
Sarah nodded, understanding that he was right. "Alright, don't be too long, tell her- well, not that it matters, but tell her that I'm sorry."
Mort nodded and headed for his coat.