Eric and Stacy, a struggling couple.

They met at an orientation freshman year and never looked back. Eric's easy charisma and friendly demeanor meshed perfectly with Stacy's cheery, encouraging attitude. They grew closer over their time at university and were married shortly after graduation. Eric went to work as a web designer and Stacy enrolled in law school; the future was bright.

On a rainy Tuesday early in her fourth semester of law school, Stacy's world was shattered. Her parents and two younger sisters were instantly killed in a car wreck; they had spun out on the slick road and been crushed by a semi. The semi driver was wracked with guilt, but it wasn't really his fault; it was really just a sickeningly tragic accident.

When Stacy heard the news, she became practically catatonic. Not only was she extremely close to her family, she was supposed to be in the car with them. They were going north for their semi-annual family get-together, a weekend where they could all just have fun and catch up. At the last minute Stacy tested positive for COVID, and she insisted that they go without her. The cabin was already booked and they'd been talking about this for weeks. Her youngest sister Emily was starting at Dartmouth in the fall and her middle sister had been seeing a woman that she couldn't wait to tell everyone about.

When all of those threads were brutally severed by a bald tire and a slick patch of asphalt, Stacy felt like her soul had been mauled. With a heavy dose of barbiturates she was able to get through the funeral, collapsing afterwards into her bed. She was sapped of all strength, unable to attend the wake or answer questions or even appreciate the outpouring of sympathy from her friends and colleagues. She crawled into bed, told Eric to cancel all of her classes for her, and stayed where she was.

That was Eric's reality for the next half-decade. Stacy was completely demolished, moored in an unnavigable despondency. They downgraded their plans as months went by and it became increasingly clear that she might never return to work. He would spend his days in his home office, drafting up icons and layouts, then come to their bedroom each morning to soothe her. Eric never got impatient or frustrated with her lack of progress. Her utter brokenness didn't diminish their love for each other in the slightest.

That was why Eric was in a very good mood when he got off work one Friday afternoon. Stacy had actually been out of bed and roaming the house that week; over the course of the last month, she seemed to take on more life than she had in years. Little things like checking the mail, making coffee, or even greeting him in the morning were suddenly coming back to her. Eric said nothing, not wanting to jinx it, but inwardly he was thrilled.

As he emerged from his office that afternoon, he was heartened to see his wife sitting on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa.

"Hey, hon!" he said amicably as he went to the refrigerator. "It's good to see you up and about! How are you doing today?"

"I'm fine," she replied quietly. "I'm... ok. I want to ask you a question."

Eric was puzzled. He opened a beer and sat down on the loveseat across from her. "Sure, babe. What's up?"

Stacy opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She was clearly struggling for words. "You know, Eric, I... these last few years, well, I know they haven't been easy on you..."

Eric's brow creased. This was one of her guilt triggers- perseverating on the notion that she was a burden on him could send her to a very dark place very quickly. "Oh, no, babe, you know I love you. I don't mind taking care of you at all! I know you'd do the same for me."

"I know," she said with a weak smile. "I love you too. I just... ever since-"

A loud sob cut off her words, and she buried her face in her hands. Eric sat next to her and put a soothing hand on her back. After a moment, she regained her composure and continued.

"I've been miserable. Fucking miserable, babe. Everyone said it would fade over time but it isn't. I don't think it's ever gonna change." She sniffled. "I just... I don't know. I had an idea."

Eric was intrigued. They'd had this conversation dozens of times, but this was a change in the script. He chose to see it as a positive sign.

"What's your idea?" he asked as he leaned in close.

"I think... oh, God, you're gonna hate this."

He put his hand over hers and they made eye contact. "Just tell me your idea. I'll try anything to get you some relief."

She smiled gratefully. "I want to become a golem."