Chloe glanced over at Sophie, who was happily playing with blocks at the daycare center. She smiled softly, admiring her daughter's innocent joy. Sophie was such a curious little soul, and it seemed as though every day she grew more and more capable of seeing the world around her with bright, hopeful eyes. Chloe, on the other hand, sometimes felt as though she was walking through life with her guard up, a habit she'd built after years of being in an abusive relationship that had left its mark on her heart.
About to pick Sophie up from daycare, Chloe made her way out of her office, the rhythmic sound of shoes on polished floors echoed through the empty hall. She passed by the janitor's closet, where she had heard Becca's voice the day before. The door was slightly ajar, and as Chloe passed, she noticed Beca bent over a mop, her back turned as she carefully cleaned the floors. There was something calming about the way Beca worked—so quiet, so deliberate.
Chloe hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. This was the fourth time she'd seen the janitor since their first conversation. Each time, Beca had been polite but distant, not giving Chloe much to go on. Chloe was beginning to wonder if maybe she had misread things, if she was just one of those people who preferred to keep to herself.
But Chloe wasn't one to give up easily. She had a way of connecting with people when they let her in—of making them feel like they weren't alone.
Taking another step forward, she cleared her throat softly. "Hey, Beca," Chloe said gently, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Beca straightened quickly, startled by the sudden voice. Her eyes darted around for a moment before landing on Chloe. There was a brief flicker of recognition, followed by an awkward glance away.
"Oh, hi," Beca said, her voice almost inaudible, as she shifted nervously. She wiped her hands on her uniform, unsure what to do with herself. "I didn't know you were around."
"I'm usually here at this time," Chloe said with a small smile, taking a few steps closer. "I was just passing by and thought I'd say hello again."
The janitor's gaze dropped to the floor, her hands fiddling with the mop handle as if it were the only thing keeping her anchored. Chloe could see the slight tremor in her fingers, the way Beca avoided eye contact as though it were easier to retreat into herself than engage with Chloe.
"So," Chloe said, trying to keep the conversation light, "I was thinking about what you said yesterday, about singing. I don't want to push anything, but if you ever wanted to work on something, I'd be happy to help."
Beca's head snapped up, and for the first time, their eyes met fully. There was a flicker of surprise in eyes, followed by a hesitant shake of her head.
"I… I'm not sure," Beca murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've never done anything like that. I just sing for myself."
Chloe nodded, understanding, but she didn't back away. She took another step closer, her expression gentle but sincere. "That's okay," she said softly. "There's no pressure. I'm here if you ever want to talk about it. Or if you just need someone to listen."
For a long moment, Beca stood there, her face a mixture of disbelief and cautious curiosity. She was used to people either ignoring her or pretending not to notice her awkwardness. But Chloe… Chloe wasn't backing down.
Finally, Beca gave a small nod, her eyes still darting away. "Thanks," she said in a hushed voice, her cheeks flushed.
Chloe smiled, hoping to ease the tension between them. "Anytime, Beca. Just think about it, okay?"
Beca's lips parted, as though she wanted to say something more, but before she could, Sophie appeared around the corner, her small face lighting up as she saw Chloe.
"Mama!" Sophie exclaimed, running up to Chloe and wrapping her arms around her legs.
Chloe smiled, leaning down to scoop Sophie into her arms. "Hey, kiddo. Did you have a good day?" she asked, kissing the top of Sophie's head.
Beca watched the exchange quietly, her gaze softening as she observed the bond between mother and daughter. Something in her eyes shifted—there was a subtle, unspoken longing, as though seeing the way Chloe and Sophie interacted had made her feel something she wasn't ready to confront.
"Have a good night, Beca," Chloe said, giving a final nod before turning to walk away with Sophie.
The janitor stood frozen for a moment, watching them go. Her heart felt heavy, a mix of emotions that she couldn't quite name. She wasn't sure why, but something about Chloe's presence—her warmth, her patience—had broken through the wall Beca had spent so long building. And now, she wasn't sure what to do with that.