The silence had grown oppressive. Annabel sat on the couch barely comfortable on the plush cushions. She had a dizzying loop of thoughts. Her legs were stiff from sitting still for so long but she forced herself to stand up at last.
She entered the kitchen quietly. The air was heavy with the aroma of herbs and garlic. Fred hummed softly as he stood facing away from her.
Standing before the stove he was agitating a pan. He was dressed in a basic gray t-shirt. It was the first time she had seen him like that. At home. It was a startling and peculiar sight.
In sharp contrast to the jumble of her thoughts he appeared calm. With a spatula in his hand Fred turned at her silent entrance.
His eyes crinkled at the corners as a warm smile appeared on his face.
“Hey.” he said. He spoke in a
