Alison laid down and listened to his rhythmic breathing. In the dark he was just a lumpy silhouette but she didn’t need light or him to be awake, to know the look of the ever-resident kindness in his still, grey eyes.
But, what beyond kindness? She involuntarily compared John’s dark spark to Stuart’s dullness and the pillow began to grow damp from her tears.
She felt guilty and assailed by irresistible forces. Reaching for a tissue, she sat up to wipe her nose.
Stuart stirred, “What’s up, babe?”
She stuttered a smile, “Just a scary nightmare. Nothing to worry about.”