Mathew.

And the week had passed normally somehow on the outside-meals shared quiet, walks in the garden, her smiles faint but there-but underneath, tension simmered because she didn't let me touch her at all, not even a brush.

She was avoiding me as much as possible all that time, sleeping on her side of the bed turned away, dodging my hugs in halls.

"Not tonight, Mathew-headache," she'd say soft.

I missed her lips pressing mine warm, her touch soft on my skin, her hug pulling me close ...