She thought the storm had passed… until he stepped through the door and reminded her why she loved the chaos.

—-

“Oh, nice. Congratula…Congratulaaa…”

He coughed, suddenly, sharply, like the word choked him on the way out. “Congratulations, Lily. I’m…happy for you,” he said at last, but his voice was rigid, clipped, like glass held just before a crack.

Happy?

Sure, maybe he was. Maybe this was how joy looked on Martin, a clenched jaw, distant eyes, and fingers curling into his palms like he needed to restrain himself from reaching for something…or someone.

I chose to see happiness in his face, even if it was nowhere to be found....