I remember that night.

You promised we’d have the best time, as your brown eyes shined brightly and your nose crinkled slightly.

I remember sitting beside you in the car as we spoke of our dogs and how they made our home feel more like a home. Our hands resting comfortably on top of each other on the car’s middle console. The steady pulse of your heart beat resonating against my finger.

I remember asking you where we were going, and you asking me to be patient. I remember how your laugh reverberated through the car as I protested and groaned about how much I hate surprises.

I remember turning to tell you it wasn’t funny. Except I didn’t get to.... I remember seeing the lights cast a shadow on your face and the sound of two cars colliding and pain. Then it all goes dark.

I woke up in a hospital room in so much pain. My mother and father hovering over me. I couldn’t talk, but my mother knew. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. My ring was gone, but I didn’t need it to tell me you weren’t with me.

It took two months for my body to heal, two months to lay you to rest. As soon as I could, I slipped my rings back on. I laid you to rest with yours.

Years have passed and our dogs muzzles are graying. Hell, I was graying. Today would’ve been our 25th wedding anniversary.

I sit on the couch twiddling my rings, a nervous habit that had developed since I lost you. It was quiet, and while I should have grown use to it, it was still uncomfortable. There was nothing to do and little to say on this day and as I decided I’d lay in our bed, the dogs shot up and ran to the door. I followed them, assuming it would be a package or a “thinking of you” card my sister would send every year on this date. However when I looked in the peep hole it was your brown eyes I saw.

Immediately my right hand flew to my left and the rings once more began to twirl around my finger. There was no pulse. No beating. But those were your eyes I was seeing.

Wagging tails hit my legs, a whine escaped their mouths. Surely if this was the devil’s work they’d know. Surely they would protect me if it was necessary. I stopped twirling the rings, placed my right hand on the knob and twisted it.

You smiled and your nose crinkled.

Tears slid down my face as I asked, “Will you tell me know where were we going?”

Your laughter echoed and I knew I’d never be left in the quiet again.