Doctor will probably say it’s a sprain, she said. But they’ll check. Ethan nodded. Yeah, thanks. Another pause. Then Clare looked at Lily one more time. You’ll be okay, she said. Lily didn’t respond right away. She just looked at her like she didn’t want her to walk away. And maybe Clare felt that too because she didn’t leave immediately. She stayed there for a second longer than necessary. Caught in a moment that none of them fully understood yet.
Clare. Clare didn’t go back to her seat right away. She stayed near them like she wasn’t sure if she should leave or if she even wanted to. Ethan noticed it. And honestly, it made him uneasy. Not because of her, but because of how quickly things were starting to feel normal. Too normal. So he cleared his throat slightly.
Are you waiting for someone too? Oh. Clare hesitated before answering. Yeah, she said quietly. Someone important. That word lingered. Important. Ethan nodded, not pushing further. He knew better than to ask questions people weren’t ready to answer. But Lily didn’t. Is it your husband? She asked innocently. Ethan almost groaned. Lily. But Clare didn’t react the way most people would. She didn’t laugh it off, didn’t correct her quickly. Instead, she went still for just a second. Then she shook her head.
« No, » she said softly. « Not anymore. » Something in her voice shifted when she said it. Ethan caught it. « That wasn’t just a simple answer. That was history. » Lily didn’t fully understand, but she sensed it. « Oh, » she said again, quieter this time. The room fell into another silence, but this one felt heavier. Clare slowly sat down in the chair across from them instead of going back to her original spot. Not too close, just enough to continue the conversation without making it obvious.
Ethan noticed, but didn’t stop her. « You two come here often? » Clare asked, a small attempt at normal conversation. Ethan shook his head. No, first time actually. Hopefully the last. Lily smiled a little at that. I fall sometimes, she added casually. But not like this. Clare let out a soft breath that almost sounded like a quiet laugh. Yeah, this one looked serious. Ethan leaned back slightly, watching them talk. There was something about the way Clare spoke to Lily.
