I smiled uncertainly.
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense. We insist.”
So I joined them.
And the following evening, they saved me a seat again.
By the third day, our dinners had become a routine.
Hal told funny stories about their travels.
Marjorie loved asking questions.
Neither pressured me to explain why I was alone.
They simply treated me as though I belonged.
Their kindness meant more than they probably realized.
By the fourth morning, I noticed something had changed.
I’d slept through the night.
I hadn’t awakened reaching for my phone.
I’d spent an entire breakfast without thinking about Marcus.
And while showering, I caught myself humming.
The sound surprised me.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done that.
That evening, I went to the dining room expecting to meet Hal and Marjorie.
Our usual table stood beside a large window overlooking the ocean.
