Berwald sighed for the fifth time since he left work. It didn’t even take that long to drive home, but he sighed again when he parked his car. The entire way, he couldn’t help but think about how quiet the house would be. Everything would be exactly where he left them—the dishes in the sink, the dog’s leash gathering dust on the hall table because he owned no dog that needed walking anymore. Berwald almost put music on his car to stave off the heaviness, but that would only make the oppressiveness at home worse.

No matter how much Berwald tried to avoid the truth, no one waited for him at home. That ended weeks ago already, so he might as well get over it. Tino left. Although he could look back and say it had been coming for a long time, it felt sudden at the time. They loved each other. He really thought they did. At work and with his friends, he put on a brave face, which always seemed to work for him. No one questioned his 'S'okay'. But the facts still remained.

Tino left.