Chapter 20 - The First Sleepover
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Evelyn called on a Tuesday evening. The connection was clear, but her voice held a noticeable tremor.
"I know this is entirely out of the established routine," Evelyn began, speaking quickly. "But my sister in London has taken ill. I need to fly out tomorrow morning. I will be gone for a week."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Adrian said, sitting at his desk.
"I was wondering," Evelyn hesitated. "I have a small box of family photographs and documents I meant to give you. I would prefer not to leave them in the empty house. Could I bring them by tonight?"
"I'll come get them," Adrian offered.
"No," Evelyn insisted. "I can drop them off. If that is acceptable to Claire."
Adrian covered the receiver and looked at Claire, who was reading on the sofa. He relayed the request silently.
Claire nodded. "She can come."
Evelyn arrived an hour later. She looked exhausted, the silver at her temples more prominent than usual. She carried a heavy wooden box.
Miles, who was supposed to be in bed, peeked around the corner of the hallway in his pajamas.
"Grandma's here in the dark," he observed loudly.
Evelyn offered a tired smile.
"Hello, Miles. You should be sleeping."
"I'm protecting Barnaby from the thunder," Miles explained seriously, pointing to the dog sleeping peacefully on the rug.
Claire walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Evelyn," Claire greeted her. "It’s late. You look tired."
"It has been a long day preparing for the flight," Evelyn admitted, setting the box on the entryway table.
Outside, a sudden, violent crack of thunder rattled the windows, followed instantly by a torrential downpour.
Miles squeaked and ran toward Adrian, hiding behind his legs.
"The storm wasn't supposed to hit until midnight," Adrian noted, checking his phone's weather app. "The roads are already flooding downtown."
Claire looked at the relentless rain, then at Evelyn, who was staring blankly at the front door.
"You can't drive back in this," Claire said softly.
Evelyn immediately shook her head.
"No, I must. I wouldn't impose."
"It's not safe, Evelyn," Adrian added.
Claire stepped forward, crossing an invisible line they hadn't touched in years.
"The guest room is made up," Claire offered. "You can stay the night. We'll take you to the airport in the morning."
Evelyn looked at Claire, genuine shock registering on her face.
"Are you certain?"
"I wouldn't offer if I wasn't," Claire replied simply.
Evelyn swallowed hard, nodding slowly.
May you like
"Thank you."
It was the first time she had slept under their roof. It wasn't a celebration, but it was a quiet, necessary truce negotiated in the middle of a storm.
