(Lena)
The house was quiet in a way it hadn't been in a long time.
Not empty. Diane was still here. She had two more days before she flew home and I was already dreading the morning I would watch her walk out the door. But the particular weight that had been sitting in the walls of this place since the day Brad brought Jade home had lifted the moment I watched his car leave the driveway.
I could feel the difference.
It was subtle and significant at the same time.
Cole had left after Brad drove away. He hadn't made a production of it. He looked at me and said call me later. I said I would. He walked to his car and left. I stood at the window and watched him go and felt something settle in my chest that I was still getting used to.
Diane found me in the kitchen making tea.
She sat dow
