They had been running low on groceries, so Tony went out to do some grocery shopping. Luckily they lived not too far away from the local "grocery store," and thus it was that Tony pushed his way back into their flat carrying a few paper bags.

"Michelle? I need a little help here."

There was nothing quite comparable to laying with one's wife after a long, long absence. This was part of the pain, that he could not be with Michelle and experience the sweetness of making love to her. Now that he had, he could not be more content at that moment. He reached over and stroked her hair, smiling softly as they lay in bed ( Read more... )

Coming up from the bar, Tony escorts Michelle to room 48 and opens the door, walking in.

Tony walks upstairs after his conversation with Kim. It’s funny…you expect a conversation where you had to tell your ex-girlfriend the truth to self-destruct. The conversation didn’t do that; in fact, he was surprised to find that they had become better friends because of it. As for Jen, he wasn’t too sure. He had this crazy idea that they could be ( Read more... )

Time moves in a circle, doesn’t it? Or perhaps it was more like a roller coaster with its loop-de-loops going back to where it had been before but pushing forward at the end. Tony doesn’t feel as if his life has gone in a circle. Fear tells him that he is when he’s in the dumps. When he is as he is now, that fear remains, hovering in the shadows ( Read more... )

Tony is staring at the ceiling, lying on the bed, clothes still on. It didn’t happen last night. He couldn’t let it happen. They kissed and went so far as to reach the bed, but it was Tony who pulled away, Tony who said he couldn’t do it no matter how bad he had wanted it. He was frustrated at his own inability to overcome something as ( Read more... )

Tony had scars in other places, from other wounds. He hadn’t as many as Jack, for sure, but they were there, and he knew where. A lot of them were memories of a very active childhood, a few from his time in the Marines. Tony had done a good job staying away from the world of wear and tear. Not that he was vain. He just, in spite of his talents, ( Read more... )

Michelle and I had a picnic. We talked about starting a family. I’ve wanted one for a while now; am glad to learn Michelle’s interested, too. Honestly I’d like to start right away if the future hadn’t gotten in the way ( Read more... )

Sleep ( Read more... )

It’s late when Tony returns to room 48. He undresses, switching his regular day clothes for his standard blue-and-gray flannel pajama bottoms and a worn gray t-shirt. Michelle has already fallen asleep, her back turned to him. Tony gets into bed and pulls the sheets over him, turning off the light. He can see Michelle just vaguely as he leans over ( Read more... )