I jumped in the shower. Halfway through it the alarm began again. It was still ringing when I finished. I dried myself and shut it off. Carolyn hadn’t moved an inch. I dressed, watched the first train roar by while adding to my bag the things I’d need for the day.

I ripped the duvet off Carolyn. She grunted, opened her eyes.

“Hey!”

“It’s time to get up.”

“Why?”

“Because you have to go to work.”

“But it’s so cold! Give me back the blanket.”

“You have to get up, darling. I’m leaving and you can’t oversleep.”

“Where are you going?”

“To write.”

“Why so early?”

“So I can spend all day writing a best seller that’s going to make us rich.”

“Mmmm, I like that idea. Now give me back the blanket.”

I folded the duvet in half and set it against the far wall, away from the bed. Then I went into the bathroom and started the shower, making sure the water was hot to the touch, which is how Carolyn liked it.

“You’re so mean.”

“Am not. You have to get up so I can get out of here. The shower is running for you.”

“I’m up.”

“No you’re not,” I said and reached out my hand. “Come on, time to get up, my lovely.”

“I hate it.”

“I hate it, too.”

She grabbed my hand and I pulled her out of bed. She blew the loose strands of hair from her face and slouched as she walked to the bathroom, looking crestfallen and glum.

“Hey,” I said. She turned and faced me, and I added, “Have a great day.”

She walked back and wrapped her arms around me. “You too. Have a great day writing.”

“Thanks.” I kissed her on the cheek. “I’m sure I’ll be here when you get back.”

She jumped in the shower. Before I walked out the door I grabbed a sticky note and on it I wrote, I miss you already. I left it on the kitchen counter for her to find.

I breathed in the cold air and kept my hands pocketed while I walked. A thousand words, four pages, every day until the book was finished. I wouldn’t pretend that everything I was writing was good or the best I could do, but I’d write it all the same. You can’t edit what isn’t there. Discipline. I’d tattoo it down my arm if that’s what it took. Remember what your old wrestling coach used to say: “Talent without discipline is worthless.”

I walked in at ten after six just as the café opened. I was the only person there, aside from the two baristas, neither of whom looked any more awake than Carolyn had twenty minutes ago.