Colin and Martin’s London Christmas“This is his grave, love,” Colin said as he stood with Martin in the bitterly cold pet cemetery.
Martin knelt down and began to pull out the few weeds that had grown since the last time they’d visited.
“Let me give you a hand,” Colin said, kneeling down next to his partner.
“No, just go away, please leave me be,” Martin said with an edge in his voice.
“I’m sorry, Martin, I…” The rest of Colin’s words dried in his throat; he shook his head and withdrew to a safe distance to watch over Martin.
“Hello, Toby, me again,” Martin said to the grave as he worked. With his fingers Martin traced the familiar words on the small brass plaque. Goodnight old pal, sleep well, I’ll be with you in the morning. He choked back a sob.
From his vantage point, Colin itche
