Chapter 4 - Shadows Across the Porch
The suburban neighborhood looked different in the gray light of morning. Rose did not approach the gate; instead, she sat on a green wooden bench at the small municipal park across the street, holding a thermos of black coffee.
Around eight o'clock, Julian’s sedan backed out of the driveway. He looked straight ahead, his jaw tight, his posture stiff. Ten minutes later, a silver European SUV pulled up to the curb outside Julian’s house.
A tall man in a tailored trench coat stepped out. He did not ring the doorbell like a guest; he knocked once, firmly, with the flat of his palm against the glass storm door.
Claire opened the door immediately. From across the street, Rose could see her daughter-in-law’s face. The proud, cold demeanor Claire always displayed toward Rose had vanished completely. Claire’s hands fluttered near her throat; she leaned against the doorframe as if her knees were weak.
The man spoke without gesturing. He handed Claire a thin blue folder. Claire shook her head, pleading, but the man merely tapped his wristwatch, turned around, and returned to his vehicle. The SUV drove off, splashing water onto the curb.
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Claire remained on the porch for several long minutes, holding the blue folder against her chest, staring blankly down the street before ducking inside.
Rose closed the thermos. The knot in her stomach tightened. Whatever Julian was trying to fix, he was not the architect of the ruin; he was merely trying to hold up the collapsing ceiling.
