Sam

Sarah jumps awake and leans over to peer at the clock on her night table.

12:05 am! Where is he? He should be home by now.

She gets up and goes to the bathroom, listening for movement. All is silent and still in the house.

Crawling back into bed, she burrows under the blanket, missing Sam's warmth. She closes her eyes, fighting worry as she tries to sleep.

An hour later, the wind howls. Sarah shivers. Reaching out, she finds only his pillow. Her heart pounds as anxiey assails her.

He shouldn't have made the long drive home so late. He should have gotten a room. Maybe he left a message...

Glancing at her cell phone, the solid light taunts her.

In the same moment, the lamp she'd left on for Sam in the living room goes out.

Thank God.

She hears the thud of his footsteps on the stairs, the squeak as he reaches the last one.

"I was so worried," Sarah says as Sam slips into the room.

He crawls in beside her and she wraps herself around him.

"After thirty years, I don't sleep well when you're not home," she whispers, kissing his cheek.

I love you, baby.

"I love you," she whispers. Feeling his stillness, she smiles. He is asleep already. She closes her eyes.

"Mom!"

Startled, Sarah sits up and tries to focus. "Andy? What are you doing here, sweetheart? What's wrong?"

"Mom, the police are downstairs."

"What?" Looking right, she sees the empty space beside her.

"Is Dad downstairs with them?"

Confused, he replies, "No, Mom." He kneels down in front of her, holding her hands in his. "I was Dad's emergency contact." He clears his throat. "There was an accident. That's why I'm here. That's why they're here."

"Wait, what? There must be a mistake. Check the bathroom. Dad was here." She tries to get up and leave, but Andy pulls her into his arms.

"A tractor trailer lost control and shot across the divider on the highway. He was killed instantly."

"No. No, that's impossible. He was here. HE WAS HERE. He came home. I fell asleep in his arms. He said 'I love you.'"

"Mom..."

"Oh, you guys are playing a joke on me for being such a worrywort. Not funny, guys." She pulls away and runs out of the room and down the stairs. "Sam!! You are not funny. This is not funny!"

She sees the officers standing just inside the door.

I'm so sorry, baby. I love you.

"Sam!"

She moans, crumbling to the floor.

"Sam."