Reasons to Stay

~VALERIE~

I am awake again.

The clock glows 2:47 AM, and I know…without looking, without listening….that Donovan is awake too.

It's been three days since he started sleeping on the couch, and somehow my body has memorized the sound of his sleeplessness.

His footsteps. Always so careful. Always trying not to wake us.

But I am already awake.

I have been awake since he moved out of our bed. Since he