THE DAYS THAT STARTED TO FEEL LIKE HOME
Chapter 12
One afternoon, Ethan walked into the diner after work.
June looked up.
“Where were you?”
“Work.”
“You weren’t here yesterday.”
“I was busy.”
She frowned.
“Doing what?”
“Fixing a boat.”
“You could have told me.”
Ethan stopped.
“Why?”
June looked at him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she sighed.
“Because we were worried.”
Ethan looked down.
“I didn’t realize.”
June’s expression softened.
“You don’t have to tell everyone everything.”
“I know.”
“But you can.”
Ethan nodded.
“Okay.”
She pushed a cup toward him.
“Coffee.”
He smiled.
“Thanks.”
June walked away.
Ethan sat alone for a moment.
The words stayed with him.
We were worried.
He had spent so much of his life believing that being alone was safer.
Less complicated.
No expectations.
No obligations.
No one waiting.
But now someone was waiting.
People were waiting.
And instead of feeling trapped by it…
he felt strangely grateful.
