TRULUV

     "Honey, I'm home!" I shout, shutting the door to my little one bedroom apartment. "Oh good! I'm just in the kitchen, how was your day love?" a lilting voice answers, instantly erasing a large chunk of the stress that had built up over a long work day. "Oh, it was okay I'm just pretty tired. The factory was killer today." I reply, kicking my worn work boots against the wall. Pictures adorn the dingy wallpaper of a short hallway leading to our living room, various snapshots of Laura and I's long life together. Our summer trips to Canada for fishing, countless birthday parties, our honeymoon to New Zealand... and in the last one our faces look out smiling and hopeful from a brightly lit hospital room, her hand in mine.

     "I told you it was a bad idea to get three jobs John! It's too hard on you," Laura responds sassily, and my cracked lips curl up in a small smile. I walk slowly through the dim living room, passing by a small couch and dark television. "I know I know gorgeous, but I just don't have a choice," I say upon entering the kitchen. The lights flicker on, and a glowing orb rises from my scarred dining table. "Well still, I worry about you." Laura's voice projects from the orb, its smooth outer shell pulsing a soft pink while she speaks. Walking over, I pat the orb softly before sitting down at the table. A small pile of envelopes sits before me, small but heavy. I sigh deeply, then begin opening them one by one. Rent overdue notice... Mortgage... Internet... Hospital Bills... I stop at one that has the words TRULUV printed in bold at the top. Quickly ripping it open, I call the number included within the envelope. An automated voice begins directing me, until I reach amounts owed.

     Pulling out a well-worn leather wallet, I start trying card after card until one is finally accepted. The monotone voice thanks me, gives a confirmation number, and clicks off. "Well, that's a relief Laura." I say, slumping in the uncomfortable wooden chair. "John... you can't keep going like this. You know that right?" Her voice whispers softly, the orb now pulsing a deep blue as it lowers to the table. "I HAVE to keep going like this Laura, you know that. I can't lose you again. I WONT lose you again. It was too hard the first time..." My voice cracks slightly, and a tear drops down onto a scarred hand. "I can take losing the house, the money, all our pointless things... but not you. If I lose you then I've lost myself."

     Getting up shakily, I head down another dark hallway to the bedroom. Laura drifts slowly behind me, her now soft yellow form warming my back. Shedding my dirty factory uniform, I crawl beneath thin sheets and stare at the stained ceiling. Laura floats above for a moment, before settling upon the pillow next to me. "I love you, Laura. So much." I whisper to her, putting one gnarled hand gently upon her smooth surface. "I love you too, John," her voice whispers back. Sighing deeply, I lay my head back into my pillow.

     "TRULUV, enter sleep mode." The soft yellow glow slowly fades away, and once more I am left alone in the world.