The week after SeaWorld, things were different.
Not dramatically. Not obviously. But the warmth between Kassie and Daniel had cooled to something more careful. More guarded.
They went through the motions. Daniel left for work at 3:30 AM. Kassie got the kids ready for school. They had dinner together most nights. They slept in the same bed.
But they weren’t really together. Not the way they had been.
“Mom, is everything okay?” Marie asked on Thursday evening, finding Kassie standing at the kitchen sink staring out the window at nothing.
“Yeah, baby. I’m fine. Just tired.”
Marie didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push.
-----
Friday Night
Friday was Daniel’s weekend to go south to see Lindy. He usually left Friday after work and came back Sunday evening. This time, Emma was going
