Lucas went to our room alone.

I did not feel triumphant.

I felt sad that a simple act of care had required a confrontation.

PART 9: A Conversation Without an Audience

The following morning Lucas made coffee before I came downstairs.

He had also cleaned the kitchen and set a plate of toast beside Marian’s usual chair.

I appreciated the effort.

But I knew how easy it was for someone to confuse a morning of chores with the repair of an entire pattern.