Nicholas

Eliana sat on a white wooden bench in their backyard, chewing while staring into space. Despite the beauty of the garden with perennial beds and a short meandering walk, her mood remained sour. I approached slowly, pocketing my hands in my slacks. Somehow I knew she wasn't going to lash out at me.

"Have you thought about what she went through after her husband of more than 20 years was murdered, leaving her with her only child in search of his killer?" I started sitting beside her. I left a small space between us, not wanting to get any ideas. Ever since I saw her the first day I...