Part 3:
Ethan watched her go. She’s having a bad week, he explained to Elena. The anniversary is coming up. The anniversary of when our mom died. Ethan said it matterof factly. Mara takes it harder than the rest of us. Sophie nodded seriously. Mara knew mom the longest. She was 10 when it happened. I was only two. I don’t really remember.
Mason’s jaw tightened. Okay, he said quietly. That’s enough for tonight. But Sophie, enough. The little girl’s face fell. Elena recognized that look. The desperate need to fill silence with words. To prove you were useful, wanted. “I think your soup is getting cold,” Elena said gently to Sophie. Sophie looked down at her bowl. “Oh, yeah.
” They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Ethan spoke. So, where did you come from, Ethan? Mason started. It’s fine, Elena said. I came from I was married until today. My husband divorced me this afternoon and kicked me out. That’s messed up, Ethan said. Ethan, what it is? He’s not wrong, Elena said quietly.
Sophie frowned. Why did he divorce you? Sophie, that’s none of your business. Because I can’t have children, Elena said. The words hung in the air. Mason’s expression changed. He divorced you because because I’m infertile. Yes. Elena’s voice was flat. Natural conception isn’t possible. I found out today.
He found out today and he decided I was useless. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Ethan said. Ethan. No, Dad. Seriously, that’s stupid. like really stupid. Sophie was staring at Elena with wide eyes. But you’re not useless. Your husband sounds like a jerk, Ethan added. Ethan, language. I said jerk, not I know what you said.
Elena felt the corner of her mouth twitch. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was close. He is kind of a jerk, she admitted. Kind of. Ethan snorted. He’s a total Ethan. What? Mason pinched the bridge of his nose. Can we please have one meal without you editorializing? I don’t know what that means. It means stop talking.
You’re the one who said I should express my opinions. I’m regretting that now. Sophie giggled. Even Elena felt herself relaxing slightly. These people were strange, chaotic, nothing like the cold, perfect family dinners she’d had with David. After dinner, Mason showed Elena to the guest room. It was beautiful. Creamcolored walls, a bed with too many pillows, an attached bathroom with fluffy towels.
There are clothes in the closet, Mason said. Caroline’s, my wife’s. We’re about the same size, I think. Take whatever you need. I can’t. Please. Mason’s voice was tired. Just let me help. Elena nodded. Mason turned to leave, then paused. Elena? Yes. What happened to you today? What your husband did? That’s not okay. I know.
No, I mean Mason struggled for words. You’re not useless or defective or any of the things I’m sure he said. You’re a person going through something devastating and you deserved better. Elena’s throat closed. You don’t know me. I don’t need to. Mason met her eyes. I know enough. He left. Elena stood alone in the beautiful room and finally let herself break.
She cried for an hour for her marriage, her body, her stupid, desperate hope that David had ever really loved her. When she finally crawled into bed, exhausted, she heard soft voices in the hallway. Is she okay? Sophie’s whisper. She will be, Mason’s voice. Give her time. Can she stay? We’ll see. I like her, Daddy. I know she’s sad like Mara was. Silence.
Yeah, Mason said quietly. She is. But Mara got better because you helped her. Mara’s still working on getting better, sweetheart. But she’s better than before. Yes. So Elena will get better, too, right? Another pause. I hope so, Mason said. Elena pressed her face into the pillow.
She’d expected to lie awake all night. Instead, she fell into the deepest sleep she’d had in months. When she woke, pale winter sunlight was streaming through the windows. For a moment, she forgot where she was. Then, it crashed back. Everything. Elena sat up slowly. She was still in the borrowed clothes, still in a stranger’s house, still divorced, still broken, but alive.
She got up and opened the bedroom door. The house was quiet. She followed the smell of coffee to the kitchen. Mason was there, already dressed in a suit, typing on a laptop. He looked up when she entered. Morning. Morning. Elena hovered in the doorway. I should probably go. Where? I don’t know. Somewhere. Mason closed his laptop.
The storm’s still bad. Roads are a mess. And honestly, he studied her. You look like you need another day. I can’t just stay here. Why not? Because I’m a stranger. You were a stranger yesterday. Today you’re Elena who borrowed my late wife’s clothes and made Sophie laugh at dinner. Elena didn’t know what to say.
Mason poured her coffee. Look, he said carefully. I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable, but I have three kids who are already asking if you’re staying, and I know what it’s like to have nowhere to go. So, here’s what I’m offering. Stay for a few days. Figure out your next move. No pressure. No expectations. Why would you do that? Because I can.
