Chapter 11
Summer arrived in Seattle with a brief, glorious burst of warm sunshine and blooming rhododendrons. Parks were crowded with locals soaking up every drop of vitamin D before the inevitable return of the autumn rains. Maya and Clara decided to spend their Saturday afternoon walking around the arboretum, enjoying the towering evergreens and quiet forest trails.
As they rounded a bend near the Japanese Garden, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Maya? Clara?"
Both women froze in their tracks. They turned slowly to find David standing on the gravel path a few yards away. He looked different—leaner, deeply tanned from the California sun, wearing a simple canvas jacket over a dark t-shirt. He carried a leather duffel bag slung over one shoulder, looking slightly out of place amidst the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest.
For a brief second, the air between them thickened, carrying the phantom weight of the suburban living room. The silence stretched for a heartbeat, but it was devoid of malice or panic. It was simply astonishment.
"David?" Clara finally managed, her voice laced with disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
David offered a self-conscious, crooked smile, walking closer. "I was in Portland for a structural engineering conference. Decided to rent a car and drive up to see the city. Honestly, I didn't expect to run into you both. What are the odds?"
"Astronomically low," Maya remarked, crossing her arms over her light jacket. Yet, despite the initial shock, she felt no tremor of anxiety. Her heart rate remained steady, her breathing calm.
"Are you visiting long?" Clara asked, stepping forward to bridge the physical gap between them.
"Just for the weekend," David said, looking between the two women. He noticed the ease in their posture, the way they stood side by side without tension or competition. It was a dynamic he had never witnessed when they were all entangled in his life. "You both look... incredible. Truly."
"Seattle agrees with us," Maya said, her tone polite but firm, establishing a clear boundary without hostility.
David nodded, acknowledging the unspoken line. "I’m glad. Really." He shifted his duffel bag on his shoulder. "I should probably find my hotel, but... it’s good to see you both walking upright."
Clara smiled softly. "It’s good to see you too, David. Take care of yourself down in San Diego."
"You too, Clara. Maya." With a final, lingering look of quiet respect, David turned and walked back down the gravel path, disappearing beneath the canopy of ancient trees.
May you like
Neither woman spoke as he walked away. When he was completely out of sight, Clara turned to Maya. "Well. That was unexpected."
Maya laughed, linking her arm through Clara’s. "At least nobody fell backward this time. Come on, let's get some ice cream."
