Have you ever ached for someone? I do. I ache right now to be with Riddick. We've been like ships passing in the dark night, for four days, while I'm on night shift and he's on days. It's odd to enter our home, empty, but all the signs of someone having just been there. The drip of coffee on the counter top is still wet, the dogs haven't quite settled in on the bed yet, waiting for me to arrive. The fan in the bathroom is still running. My ache is also for my parents. I know I do not have the corner on the market for loss. Not having your parents alive and having your spouse's parents still alive puts an odd spin on it. I don't have children of my own, so I feel much like a parasite on Riddick's family. I don't think I'm treated as a parasite, I just feel like one.