He shuffled through the last few bundles mail and gathered the Kent's mail into a small bundle, wincing slightly as he noticed, 'final notice', scrawled underneath the pale white envelopes of half the bills he had in his hand. His heart ached, he had a soft spot for the Kents, they were good people in his eyes. And according to the gossip around town, they had been through a rough summer.

Mr. Kent was in a coma and their son had been reported missing. The few brief times he saw Mrs. Kent, she looked ready to collapse. She was a strong, beautiful woman, but he couldn't imagine the stress and pain she must live with.

He drove up to the mailbox and opened it, only to see yesterday's mail still sitting in the pile he left the other day. He sighed and glanced up at the house, it wasn't like Mrs. Kent to leave the mail. He parked the car and climbed out of the car, making his way up to the house with the mail in his hands.

He walked up to the door as Mrs. Kent appeared before him. “Rick,” she began from behind the screen door and smiled as she opened the screen door, inviting him in. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?” She asked quickly, and he couldn't help but nod.

“I'd love to Mrs. Kent,” he smiled as he stepped into the house. “I think I can spare a minute or two, the mail can wait.”

“Please, call me Martha.” She replied, shaking her head. “You've been my mailman for as long as I can remember. How long has it been?”

“Six years,” he replied, taking that moment to hand her the mail he had brought in.

She sighed and took the mail. “I've been dreading the mail lately,” she whispered as she closed her eyes briefly.

“Is there anything that I can do?” He questioned as he reached out and touched her shoulder. Her eyes, briefly meet his before her shoulders started to tremble. “Martha?” He questioned, slightly alarmed as a single tear fell down her face.

“I miss my boys,” she whispered, sniffing back her tears. “I miss their presence, their voices- it's so lonely.”

“Oh, Martha-” he sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. She sniffed once more, before she let herself cry for the first time. He held onto her, not letting her falter as she cried.

She pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I'm sorry. What a terrible host I've been.” She laughed lightly and squeezed his hand.

“No need to go out of your way,” Rick stated softly as he squeezed her hand in return.

“Thank you.” She smiled, offering him the first genuine smiled she felt in months. “I don't know what came over me.”

“I admire your strength; you've been through a lot, more then your share of grief.”

Her eyes crinkled up, tears coming once more to her eyes. “Oh, Rick. Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head into his chest.

“It's the least I could do,” he smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and held her, letting her come to terms with her grief.