“I had birthday messages from employees. Clients. People I haven’t seen in years.”
She swallowed.
“And somehow that made it worse.”
Maggie leaned against her arm.
Claire looked down at her.
“I came here because I wanted one hour to think about whether I had built a life or just a very impressive schedule.”
Ethan was quiet.
Claire gave him a small, embarrassed smile.
“Then your daughter walked over and asked if I was lonely.”
Maggie nodded.
“She was.”
“Yes, Maggie. I was.”
Ethan’s shoulders relaxed a little.
Claire looked directly at him.
“I think I said maybe because your daughter asked me for something nobody has asked me for in years.”
“What?”
“To show up.”
Ethan stared at her.
Claire could almost see him weighing every word.
Finally he said, “Her mother and I separated three years ago.”
Claire nodded.
“She moved several states away for work. At first we tried a schedule, but it became harder. Maggie lives with me full time now.”
He kept his language careful because Maggie was listening.
“There are calls. Visits when they work out. Her mother cares about her.”
“I know,” Maggie said.
Ethan touched her shoulder.
“I know you know.”
He looked back at Claire.
“But day to day, it’s us.”
“Just you two?”
“Just us.”
Maggie raised Mr. Buttons.
“Three.”
“Three,” Ethan corrected.
Claire smiled.
Ethan glanced at the phone still in his hand.
“I’m a systems engineer. The company I work for has been growing fast.”
