If you think this chapter is unnecessary, stupid, or a good addition,
please tell me—I'm not sure myself.
My partner sits across from me, her chin resting on her folded hands, her face tilted to the window, her eyes focused on a point in midair. I can tell she's thinking about something very important to her. Still looking at her, I take a swig of coffee. Her tea remains untouched. The steam floating from it gently distorts her clasped fingers. I start to tear my gaze from her, afraid she will accuse me of staring, but a sudden movement holds my attention. She blinks slowly and a single tear falls into her tea. She must be thinking about Alex. Much to my annoyance, my nose tingles and my eyes water. Casey walks by on her way to the Captain's office, hardly giving us a glance. God, I wish Alex were still here. I rub my nose quickly and pretend I'm on the job, leaving feelings behind me, but it only triggers my eyes. I look around. Munch and Fin went for doughnuts, and Huang is nowhere to be found. I cup my forehead in my hands. No one at work has seen me cry. Ever. If Olivia doesn't notice, maybe it'll stay that way.
Olivia starts, relapsing back into consciousness. Her light purple sweater complements her chestnut eyes. She peers at me, brushing at her cheeks. I look back at her, nodding, and she looks deeply into her mug, inhaling a long breath of caffeinated air and slowly letting it out. She rests her slender right hand on the edge of her desk, careful not to tough mine. I reach across and pat it gently, trying to soothe both of us. Her eyes beg a question. I look down at our hands, and put my right on the pile as she puts her left. Our eyes meet again, gazing into each other's souls.
"It'll be all right," her and myself.
She smiles.
My partner sits across from me, her chin resting on her folded hands, her face tilted to the window, her eyes focused on a point in midair. I can tell she's thinking about something very important to her. Still looking at her, I take a swig of coffee. Her tea remains untouched. The steam floating from it gently distorts her clasped fingers. I start to tear my gaze from her, afraid she will accuse me of staring, but a sudden movement holds my attention. She blinks slowly and a single tear falls into her tea. She must be thinking about Alex. Much to my annoyance, my nose tingles and my eyes water. Casey walks by on her way to the Captain's office, hardly giving us a glance. God, I wish Alex were still here. I rub my nose quickly and pretend I'm on the job, leaving feelings behind me, but it only triggers my eyes. I look around. Munch and Fin went for doughnuts, and Huang is nowhere to be found. I cup my forehead in my hands. No one at work has seen me cry. Ever. If Olivia doesn't notice, maybe it'll stay that way.
Olivia starts, relapsing back into consciousness. Her light purple sweater complements her chestnut eyes. She peers at me, brushing at her cheeks. I look back at her, nodding, and she looks deeply into her mug, inhaling a long breath of caffeinated air and slowly letting it out. She rests her slender right hand on the edge of her desk, careful not to tough mine. I reach across and pat it gently, trying to soothe both of us. Her eyes beg a question. I look down at our hands, and put my right on the pile as she puts her left. Our eyes meet again, gazing into each other's souls.
"It'll be all right," her and myself.
She smiles.