The late afternoon sun filtered through the gauzy curtains of Marvin and Gale’s living room, casting soft golden patches on the hardwood floors. The house was filled with the faint scent of lavender from the candle burning on the side table, and a quietness hung heavy in the air — the kind of quiet meant for heart-to-hearts and heavy truths.
Ronnie sat curled into the corner of the couch, her knees drawn up, her oversized sweater draping her small frame. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, fingers worrying the hem of her sleeve. Across from her, Uncle Marvin sat with a patient but worried expression, his frame relaxed but his eyes sharp, waiting for her to speak.
Gale had taken Theodore to the park for ice cream, sensing, as always, when something more serious needed to happen. No
