The lies we tell
by M. F. Luder
Seth murmurs "work" when he arrives after midnight.
Tiredness, Seth says when he moves away from Ryan's touch.
They don't go to the movies anymore, and Seth doesn't ask about Ryan's new projects either. Ryan tells himself it's a phase. They've been together a lifetime, this is nothing.
Seth stands him up at the Italian restaurant they've gone to the last nine anniversaries. Seth makes up excuses the next morning, and Ryan knows Seth didn't come home before three, when Ryan fell asleep.
One afternoon, Ryan finds a love note on Seth's pocket, signed A, and Ryan recognizes Anna's handwriting.
Finished: April 1st, 2004