Beneath

Beneath t

e seemed to bore straight into my soul, as though she were searching for something hidde

th and elegant. "It's a pleasure to final

e. What had Jake told her about me? An

d my thoughts, she answe

a beat. "Mrs. San

htly, offering

through me. Her handshake was firm but not forceful, her skin

the plush sofa behind me. "Can I offer you somet

t then I caught a glimmer of warmth in

nk you, ma," I replied, doin

light caught her silver hair, casting a soft halo around her head. She was the

her face, a strange sense of reassurance washed

arrying a tray with a steaming teapot and two delica

gather my thoughts. How do I tell her about the

mething unexpected-kindness, even understanding

, my voice barely above a whisper. "I

le. "I see," she said. "Well, Jake is... indisposed at the mome

ent hit me. Indispose

aught my attention. A flick

kening. "Is everything okay?" I

d away from mine, and in that pa

he said at last. "Jake is just t

s told a different story. They glimmered wit

?" I repeated, my

ight. He's been very busy lately." Her eyes wande

me. Why the evasive answer

" I asked, my t

dgeted in her lap, twisting t

ible right now," she said s

keeping me from him? First he dis

I slammed my hands down on

s, heavy and raw. Her eyes were rimmed with r

concern. What was she hiding?

ly, my voice softening

her eyes searching mine. Then she

measured, "I'm truly sorry. Jake is extremely

f your message is urgent,

the staircase and gestured to one of the bodygu

pped forward and extended an arm, wo

e the moment everything unravels. My visio

uard out, one thoug

hiding from