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An empty silent room on the other side of the wall.
His apron left hanging on the hook near the stove.
The staff do their best to work with one less pair of hands.
I hate the empty space on the rack where his shower gel usually stands.
I hate the empty city as locals vanish to spend time with loved ones.
How am I meant to survive another fifteen days of this?
I search online for return flights to Longreach.
Maybe I can go spend a week or two with Beth when she flies home.
My hopes are soon quashed.
This time of year, especially last minute?
More than a thousand bucks.
About eight hundred more than I can afford.
I cry quietly into my pillow until I fall asleep.
???
At least by the following morning, I have an excuse to leave the building.
Beth's plane has touched down.
I stay overnight in the spare room of her holiday rental.
Christmas Eve is glorious, even with just the two of us.
We do all the traditional things a day early.
My first real Christmas, in a way.
A home cooked meal and presents.
Candles and music.
So many hugs.
Conversation and laughter flows until the early hours of the morning.
She introduces me to her family during a video call.
I already know Amanda, but the rest of them seem really nice too.
She’ll see them tomorrow night when she gets home.
You’re my home,I wish I could say.
Please don’t go.
