Echoes of a Dead Wife's Voice

On the day the city's skyline was lit with fireworks spelling out my name, Julian Vance dialed my number.

"Happy birthday, Clara. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there with you again this year."

"Be good and wait just a little longer. Our eighth anniversary is in three days. I promise I'll be home to celebrate with you."

The call ended. The woman beneath Julian wrapped herself around him like a serpent.

"Are you really going back?"

"What about me, then?"

Seeing the hurt pooling in Evelyn Hall's reddened eyes, he leaned down and kissed her passionately, unable to hold back his tenderness.