It wasn't supposed to happen this way. That was all I could think as Clara sat me down on my own couch, gaze fixed on the carpet, and gently patted me on the shoulder.
We were supposed to go out tonight. Outside the window, I could see the silhouettes of city buildings and tiny specks of light shining from within them. On a normal night, maybe we’d head to Angelini’s, her favorite restaurant. Halfway out the door, I’d compliment her black dress, and she’d compliment my tie. She’d order the fettucini, slurp the noodles rudely through her pristine red lips, and laugh at how the wine had made her dizzy.
Tonight, h