Deanna Chaffin

The Day After

I stare at my bed side clock flashing the familiar 04:00 at me. For the first time in several decades it isn't accompanied by the mind numbing beep I've become accustomed to waking to. I guess I didn't really need the alarm the last decade or so but habit had me set it every night before bed. A pang of loss sounds its way through my chest. I turn over with a heavy sigh.