The whole nursing staff was bored with jokes about how close the hospital was to the cemetery. Carol kept her delight in that proximity very quiet. She drove off from the parking lot as though she were headed home. There was nothing for her at home, though -- nothing for hours, damn little was there at all.

Getting Judy to kindergarten on his way to work was Jack’s job. Hers was to pick her up. They were still functioning well as parents, however badly they functioned as lovers. A year ago, she had thought that the magic had gone out of her marriage. After she met Gary, she realized that there never had really been any magic in her marriage -- not the sort of magic that Gary brought to every encounter.

Gary met her at the cemetery’s truck gate and let her in. He locked it behind her before they kissed. As always, his first kiss was gentle and sweet.

“Hello,” he said when he straightened away from her.

“Good morning.” She wanted more kisses, but she waited, knowing that she would get them.

“That it is, now that you’re here.” He bent again to kiss her, holding her head while their mouths opened. He stroked down her back and gripped her butt to pull her against him. When he straightened this time, he lifted her. She threw her arms around his neck to hold on. His legs rubbed against the insides of hers as he carried her along. When he set her down, they were still outside. His hands went to the zipper on the back of her uniform.