When midnight came and went and all that was left on the road was a pile of boxes, he knew it was over. Their relationship, for whatever it was worth had meant more to him than perhaps even he truly realized. Sure, they argued, but what couple didn't? And sure, he had felt himself drifting away from her both emotionally and sexually, but seeing evidence of it now, in front of him hurt him more than he had ever hurt before. 

He opened the nearest box and the first thing he saw was a framed photo of the two of them, laughing while out on their first anniversary. He felt his thumb dampen as he pulled the frame closer and saw her tears splattered across the photograph.

It broke his heart, he felt like his chest had been cleaved in half, and his heart exploded in two. Tears began to swell from his eyes, but he quickly bit his tongue to stop himself from breaking down outside the house they had shared so many memories within.

He peered up at her window, which he had until now thought of as theirs, hoping to see her one final heart-wrenching time. But the lights were out, and he realized she had probably long since gone to bed.

He took a long, heavy breath, steeling himself, and returned the frame. Then slowly he took the boxes and loaded them into the back of his car.

He got behind the wheel and only then realized he had nowhere to go, and that his car would be his bed for the night. But not here, not where she would see him come morning.

Dawn broke with an audible crack, a back stretching itself out of a long nighttime cramp, and all was still.