Cindy gave a small sigh, his reluctance to even hold her hand now made her heart ache and his words made her withdraw. She knew she wasn't the warmest person, not anymore, not with him. But it was Christmas and he was surprised she'd called? It broke her.
"What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment."
He could see the pain in her expression, recognizing it well after so many years together. He knew her intimately, every little thing about her, and maybe that was what made it all hurt so badly.
"I don't think so," he argued quietly. "You just married an idiot who turned into a grumpy old man." Of course it was self-deprecating, but even so he smiled, albeit wryly. It faded away though, and he shifted. "....I know I probably could have made more effort too. I just don't..." He hesitated for a second. "I don't want to make your life harder."
















