The sound of bare feet smacking against the hardwood floor pierces the dark house. Maya waits around for the bathroom that is occupied by her lovely husband, whom she doesn’t think is so lovely anymore. What could he be doing in the bathroom that makes him stay there more than five minutes? Something disgusting for sure. Maya thinks, stopping her imagination from illustrating messes on the floor and toothpaste on the bathroom mirror.

​

Few banging on the door outta do it, three loud knocks only gets her a “Ya! I’m coming,” which didn’t please her. “Ya! Get out, Rafael! Stop trying to make out with the bathroom mirror, you got me for that!” Maya yells back. In just two minutes, Rafael comes out smiling, “Oh, okay, ready!” he exclaims, pursing his lips. Maya only pushes past him, “Gosh, it took you forever. I hope I can wipe the lip marks off the mirror.” She jokes, which leaves Rafael with a rueful smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll kiss you goodnight.” Maya promises, which brightens Rafael again like the sun, “I love you-”  which gives him a closed door to his face.

​

After doing her business, Maya takes off her ring. She watches the light shift around it as she washes up. Drying her hands, she forgets it on the bathroom counter. A few minutes later, both crawl into bed, Maya wearing her periwinkle nightgown, which she just washed, and Rafael, on the other hand, is wearing one of her old, baggy shirts she doesn’t wear anymore and his blue-gray boxers. “Did you remember to cut your nails?” Maya asks. “Yeah, I know you don’t love having a raccoon in the bed.” Rafael jokes, nudging her. “Great, that takes care of the problem of you climbing onto me when sleeping, and scratching me like one.”

“I love you-” Rafael pauses mid-way, his attention focused on her hand. Quickly, he grabs her hand, “Where's our wedding ring. I mean yours.” He questions, seriously. “Oh, I must leave it in the bathroom, but it's too late to retrieve it,” Maya answers, turning her back away from him. “I’ll get it-”

“Just leave it!”

“No.”

“Ugh-” Maya groans, turning her back at him. “It’s late…I’m going to sleep.” Maya says to convince him, but it doesn’t work; he retrieves it anyway.

​

Finally, I can get my beauty sleep. Maya thinks before she falls asleep.

​

“Hey Maya?” Rafael whispers. Maya shivers; she doesn't like it when people whisper, it always makes her think something wrong is going to happen. “What?” Maya snapped back. Rafael shifted in his bed, uncomfortable for sure.  “Maddie is in her room, right? I’m just asking since she hasn’t come out of her hobbit hole for snacks or…anything.” Rafeal says slowly, letting his words sink in. “Yeah..?” Maya turns around to face him, raising an eyebrow, “Well, I don’t know? I have a feeling that something is wrong.” He replies. “Hmm…Do you want to check?” Maya asks, and without a second thought, Rafeal gets up.

​

At the bedroom door of Maddie, Rafeal notices it’s been cracked open, which makes him sigh in relief, “Maybe I was just overthinking.” He says to himself. “Maddie, darling, sorry for waking-” Standing in her room was Rafeal in a panic as he sees clearly now that Maddie's room is dark and empty.