Fifty-four

It was like a sixth sense, I felt it. Being watched. My window outlook the side of the house, towards the back road, and in the darkness all was visible were the silhouettes of the trees. The set snow shone under the moonlight.

The red fiery dot was what gave him away. It could have been anyone but my gut told me it was him. Leaning onto the big oak that once had a tire swing hanging from his big branches. I watched him for a few minutes, trying to guess what he wanted but it was obvious. The cold immediately made me regret stepping outside. “Sit,” I told Buddy before closing the door behind me. The porch was nude, aside from the two old rocking chairs on the left. I waited until he apparated from the shadows, flicking the cigarette to the side and watching its light disappear on the cold ground. He was dressed in a warm winter coat and leather gloves.

“Wife.” He said, his voice thick.

“Husband.”

He kept walking forward until there was any space between us. I felt his gaze taki