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A DAY IN THE LIFE

He sat motionless on the wooden door step gazing into the unkempt garden. His eyes seemed fixed on the elm tree, the twisted branches bare in the winter sun, but in fact they pierced through into a seemingly distant world. He took one last deep drag of the cigarette before flicking it casually onto the patio, where the lighted ash fanned in the gentle breeze. He rose gently, his right arm pressing on his knee for support as he winced with the pain echoing in his lower back.

''What's wrong? Tell me now,'' her voice echoing in the empty kitchen.

He acknowledged with a slow sigh, as if this question were repeated endlessly.

''Just tell me what's wrong. For god's sake tells me,'' she asked again. Her voice rising with anger.

He turned towards her, showing a slight smile that was not evident in his eyes.

''Just my back love. Just my back,'' as he straightened up stiffly and walked into the living room. He stood still for a moment, as if forgetting the reason for entering the room. The sound of footsteps followed behind as Jane came up and harshly grabbed his hand.

''You going to keep ignoring me all day. Don't you love me or something?'' she said in an increasingly alarmed voice. He turned to face her, their gaze meeting briefly as he slumped in the armchair.

''I'm not ignoring you. How many times have I got to tell you I love you. Can't your realize that!'' his voice breaking as if he already knew that she did not believe him, or simply that she could not.

Jane turned away to sit in the opposing chair. She picked up the remote and began flicking furiously between the channels as if trying desperately to find something to take her mind off the continual thoughts that swirled around in her head.

As she stared towards the television set his gaze rose to admire her beautiful face. He stared lovingly at the almost perfect contours. The blazing green eyes, the way her hair gently covered her forehead and how the light reflected off her silken skin. He stared deeply, but he knew, he knew. Deep down below this beautiful facade lay a deeply tormented soul unable to escape its horrific past. And to love her meant that he too would have to suffer her past, as he had done ever since he first met and fell in love with her over ten years ago. Ten long years of conflicting happiness and apparent torment as their relationship struggled to survive a battle that was raging in turmoil.

''I'm sorry,'' broke the eerie silence. Softly spoken and full of pity. His mind startled

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