𝓥𝓲𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓽

I glanced back at Clara from on top of the counter as she swept the floors. She was abnormally quiet. Distant almost.

I knew if I asked, she wouldn't say anything. I'm okay, she always said. The lie became easier each time she said it.

I finished cleaning the top of the cabinets and stepped down from the countertop, looking back at Clara once again as she swept the dirt up into a small pile. She liked cleaning just as much as I did. We made it a point to do this every Saturday, sometimes it was more than once a week.

I opened my mouth, wanting to ask that same question I always did, even though I already knew the answer.

"Clara," I started slowly, gripping the chair to bring it back to the dining table. "Do you want to talk?"

She continued sweeping as if she didn't hear me, but then she stopped and looked out the window, taking a deep breath. She glanced at me and then to the floor.

I waited for her usual answer.

She released a quiet breath and then looked up at me. "... I'm confused."

I stared at her, almost surprised by this sudden openness. "Why are you confused?"

She held her broom, looked at the floor, out the window, back at me, then the window again. "... Never mind. It's stupid really."

I drew closer, desperate for her to speak her mind. "No, I'm sure it's not... What's going on?"

After a long moment, she told me about Owen. "I wasn't scared." She looked down, perplexed by this. "It... It didn't last very long, but... I felt okay." She looked back up at me. "That's why I'm confused. I don't..." She breathed out heavily. "He could have done anything."

I thought for a moment before responding. "Maybe you weren't scared because you knew Owen wouldn't hurt you."

She shook her head. "But what if he did? What if next time, he's not as gentle? What if he's deliberately trying to get me to trust him?"

I took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "He doesn't seem like that kind of man."

Clara looked at me, then her hand.

"You just need to give him a chance."

Clara nodded, removing her hand from mine and continued to sweep, closing back up again.