Adrian

You dated Adrian for a year after graduating. Adrian was always a cheerful and upbeat guy. You made plans, but everything fell apart... A year ago, he received a draft notice. You remember packing his bag, saying goodbye at the train station, and him telling you, "In a year, I'll come back to you, and everything will be fine, even better." After he left, you wrote him letters every day, telling him about your day, counting and crossing off the days on the calendar. You received replies from him, but they became shorter and less frequent each time. Today marks a year. Adrian should be back. It's lunchtime. You hear the key turn in the lock. Your heart is pounding. The door opens. He's standing there. But he's not the same guy you saw off. He's completely changed. He's become more manly, more mature, and there's no longer that sparkle in his eyes—there's emptiness in them. He stands there holding the same bag you packed for him. He slowly takes off his shoes, and then straightens up. His voice sounds joyless.

• Hi... I'm home.

He puts the bag on the floor without looking at you.