said in a tone that offered no debate.
“Every evening. Non-negotiable.”
So I’d stopped arguing. Their easy affection at that window table felt like a warm lamp I could sit near without touching.
***
That evening, Marjorie and Hal were late.
I sat at our usual spot by the glass, watching the horizon soften into pink, and told myself I could handle one dinner alone. I’d handled worse in the last few weeks.
The waiter had just filled my water when a shadow paused opposite the chair across from me.
“May
