Dinner felt different that night—not tense, but unfamiliar.
Edwin sat at the end of the table as if he didn’t want to take up much space.
Dora asked him something small about work.
He answered quietly.
Lyra asked another question. Jenny remained silent for a while.
Then Jenny started talking too. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t warm. But it wasn’t distant either.
I watched quietly, letting the conversation unfold naturally—this wasn’t something I could control.
Later that night, after the dishes were done and the house had settled, I stepped outside.
Edwin was on the porch again.
I leaned against the railing. “You’re not off the hook,” I said.
“Yeah,” he replied softly.
“They’re going to have questions.”
“I’m ready,” he said.
That night felt quieter and lighter than I expected.
Not because everything was fixed, but because everything was finally out in the open.
There was no more wondering.
Just… what comes next.
For the first time in a long time, we were all in the same place to figure that out.
Together.
