ame just b

uld reject when his phone buzzed against the glass desk. He almos

el

g on the other end

voice came through

ened instantly. "Mar

he said, the words rushing over each

Carl interrupted,

hesitated. "I think... I thin

rld na

id. Not asked. Stated

g the meeting notifications piling up on his phone. His hands were steady on

cont

e

ent door was aja

ith sharp, practiced eyes. The small living space was in disarray. A chair over

" he call

ightly around herself. Her face was pale, eyes rimmed red, hair loose and

knelt in front of her, c

you h

came home late. I think t

call th

me. Said there wasn'

jaw tig

thing of obvious value was missing-no TV, no lapt

ake anythin

uietly. "It just feels... wrong. L

d that feeling

eave?" he asked.

. "I don't wa

," he said

something-pity, condescension, con

she wh

He moved carefully, deliberately not

of the difference between their worlds. The space was vast, polished, qui

tay here," she said.

rl said gently. "If

no

te ends of the couch at first, silence stretching between th

to be upset," Ca

h. "I keep telling myself

t mean this

y. "I try so hard to ke

He didn't say I'll handle it or I'

en she

he'd been holding back for too long. Carl shifted closer no

nt, she lean

ed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Carefully. Respe

ned on him lik

ly, he didn

. In a way money

fast when you

glass of untouched whiskey on the desk as his

arl's place," the m

sion darkened.

s,

him off. "Tha

ngers steepled. He had seen this before. Distractions dis

things from him intellig

th

as dan

ilyn insisted o

said, tying her hair back in C

ve you,"

look. "I can

he replied

m for a moment

. Steamed milk. But the edges of her focus blurred. Her hands shook once, spil

Marily

ietly. He didn't intervene when customers complained.

elt like som

suit entered the café. He didn't order. He

he said smoothly.

omach

ood ins

you?" he

hinly. "A friend

went

ri

Marilyn. "You seem to

ked from the stranger to Carl, con

nderstand,

etween them. "

need to be dramatic. I simpl

s ice. "You do

d at Carl, he

nc

mi

unease settled

time, a terrible

rl Woode was the most dange