Seeking Solitude
Taking a deep breath, I gestured for Katie to follow. We moved away from the crowd, each step growing heavier with unspoken tension. Her story was pulling me in, whether I wanted it to or not. With every stride further from the gathering, I found myself questioning the wisdom of letting this unexpected moment play out. Was I truly prepared to hear what she had to say? There was only one way to find out.
Seeking Solitude
The Bench
We found a nearby bench and sat down, the warmth of the day fading alongside my dwindling patience. “Alright, what’s going on?” I asked, keeping my voice as calm as I could manage. My heart thudded in my chest, and it felt as though even the trees were listening, leaning closer to catch her response. Katie swallowed hard, her eyes drifting to her baby, now peacefully asleep. The silence stretched, each moment feeling longer than the last as I waited for her to speak.
The Bench
