Shawn
By the time we pulled into the driveway, the sky was painted in streaks of orange and purple, the sun slipping behind the trees. The ride home had been quiet — way too quiet.
Lila sat beside me, her hands twisting in her lap, the hem of her hoodie bunched up between her fingers. Normally, even when she was nervous, she’d try to make small talk. But tonight, it was like she’d retreated completely into her own head.
“You okay?” I asked softly as I put the car in park.
She gave me a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”
I didn’t push her. Lila wasn’t the kind of person you could force to open up. When she was ready, she’d talk.
We each grabbed a bag of groceries and headed for the porch. I expected to hear Mom humming in the kitchen or the faint clatter o
