Selfishness
Dumping the papers in her hands, lips spilling a multitude of gratitude, and yet, the gesture felt empty. Her arms, however, did not. Rachel weighed them, attempting a tilt of her lips to say she was okay, happy even.
"Go ahead," she insisted.
Melissa asked if she was sure, but was already leaving. Another thank you for doing this. Behind, Eddie appeared, questioning what was happening. Rachel told them to go ahead and in doing so, she was handed a pile of folders from Eddie.
"Thanks, Rach."
Then they were walking through the antechamber, leaving her behind, the light through the window turning into dusk. Everyone else had gone; she would be the only one left in the building. Working until she couldn't anymore.
She tried to catch his eye, at least receive another smile of his to get her through the evening. But he did not look at her again, his arm around her sister. Melissa did turn back to smile, however, but Rachel wished she hadn't. It felt as empty as her gratitude.