I fall asleep and miss dinner with my fiance’s family.  I answer the phone with my eyes closed and her voice sounds warm, but disappointed, still.  I race to clear my eyes and find my keys and I’m driving with the blur of headlights in my sight.  At her door, she looks pretty.  I hug her tightly and pair my embrace with an apology that clearly falls short.

Her father and aunt make me laugh while I play with the animals and stare at Chloe, sipping coffee and adjusting her glasses, adoringly. 

I leave for home and the wind moves my car most of the way.  And I think about the weeks that turned into hours so suddenly before my first eleven hour day back in my office.  And I think about gripping onto the weekend like it’s the only way I can survive.