The car is quiet.
Claire and Ethan sit side by side in the back seat, neither of them speaking.
The driver grips the steering wheel, pretending very hard to focus on the road.
Behind them, another car pulls out at speed, taking a different road. The man gripping that steering wheel is Julian.
For the first time the night, he feels like he can breathe. He has finally shaken off his mother. His sister. The endless questions. The watchful eyes.
Even though he saw Irene just yesterday, the hours apart feel unbearable. The longing claws at him, restless and relentless.
Some lovers reunite.
But some barely survive sharing the same space.
---
Ever since that night—since Ethan said he would "try"—he actually starts trying.
He asks Margaret about Claire. What she likes. What she eats.
Ma
