The world around Joel Miller was black and white after Sarah died. Holding people an arms length away, never letting anyone get too close. It was just him and would always be just him without Sarah. Everything was crumbling but not the walls built around him.

And, you. You. You were insistent on being there for him — giving him company when it was the last thing he claimed to need, to want. You came along like a golden light in this shit hole of a world.

You were golden, all golden with your very irritating habit of never leaving him alone.

“Not in the mood.” His voice came out as a grumble. Dirt caking his shirt, setting down the shovel with a grunt. It’s been a long day.