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Marcus:

That’s a good one

It’s not much, but it’s the first thing all week that’s sounded like him.

Me:

After the holidays settle, we’ll have to plan your trip

Marcus:

Yeah

Me:

Best excuse for time off I can think of

He doesn’t respond to that, but I still feel like we might’ve just made good progress and he’s starting to feel a bit more like himself.

January 5th

Me:

How’s your first week back to work?

Marcus:

Same as always

Me:

I hate knowing that you don’t like your job. Promise me, you’ll start looking at new openings?

Marcus:

Yeah, okay

Me:

I know I’ve asked a lot of you lately, but I just want you to be happy.

He doesn’t respond, so when I get home from work, I call him, but he doesn’t answer.

January 7th

Me:

Work views today:

I text him a photo of a mountain and once again, he doesn’t respond. I tell myself he’s just busy. Everyone gets busy.

January 8th

Me:

Morning!

I send the text at 8am and watch my screen but no bubbles pop up. His phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, which is rare for him. I have my laptop open in front of me, trying to focus on the technical specs for the new sleeping bag liner. I need to make adjustments to the insulation layering, but the numbers blur together because I keep glancing at my phone.