rived on

e. Just a quiet reentry into a city that alre

by accident. She didn't be

he sent hi

should clear the air be

han he meant to. Then he did the th

old

evening, standing in her kitchen while sh

mid-air. Her chest tightene

" she

eplied. "If you'

e knife do

" she said, choosing her words care

ve it,"

Then yes. I'm

r surprise

aire at a café near his of

ed, composed, eyes sharp with int

re you'd com

uld," he rep

always were dependable. E

rise to th

"I'm rebuilding something imp

ed him for a

hanged,"

replied. "

wly. "Then I'll

r-not relieved, but aligned. For once

, he told he

se she de

e he c

out interruption,

ed, she said o

oosing honesty wi

her, really l

to lose you ag

his gaze

sappear when t

d-not uncomfort

e in bed, she realized

t had s

had no

still u

l fr

her feet no longer shifted

eren't about bei

anding firm enough

hardest part w

was

the w

, unfamiliar stillness of allowing things to unfold without

s pa

urge to interpret silence, to fill g

k a long shower. Read until the

inally lit up, s

wa

everything I could th

essage for a momen

k you for

pa

'd like to see you, bu

d herself wi

e

s. No flowers. No apologies rehe

couch at first, the air between

r," he said finally. "Not ro

dded.

said. "Not harsh

s face, search

were

ave been har

if he hadn't ex

made me realize how often I used di

oser-not touch

she said quietly. "Not ju

breath. "I don't w

she reached

s a p

nowled

d briefly, then rested a

es still

stood at the window wat

t feel tr

elt s

ame from choosing growth

, she realized

ce themselves with

ments where old instincts w

e was writing her