14
ALEX’S FLIGHT IS SCHEDULED to leave on a morning in mid-August. The night before, he’s pleased but not surprised when Paul comes home from work early. His worry over Alex has been quiet but insistent. Paul can’t do much to help him at this point, but Alex appreciates the thought.
Alex is in the living room with Claudia when he gets in. Vic and Ali are with Carly and Liam, but Alex wants as much time with Claudia as possible tonight. Especially when he’s not sure when he’s going to be back. They eat dinner together, not talking much and not needing to do more than be in each other’s presence. The mood is heavy, solemn, and Alex isn’t comfortable. He feels like something momentous is about to happen, the way he’s rarely felt in his life, and he doesn’t know what to do about it. Certainl
