Moments Under The Sun.

: Clair

me, I couldn't say no. I couldn't imagine leaving her to handle everything alone, not with the way things had been. The work was heavier than I anticipated, but I would manage.

tled by the sound of footsteps in the hallway. Mr. Farmer, Isa's father, w

ow but kind. "I'm grateful to you, you know? I appreciate everything y

emed so... distant, and yet, in his own way, I co

ever need help with anything, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm more than happy to offer you any ass

specially given the distance Isa had often spoken of between her and her father. But I didn'

's hard, but you're doing great. And when Isa gets better, I want you both t

I'd expected. I wasn't sure if he meant them f

id with a warm smile. "I'm sure s

t just transpired, but I knew one thing: his words-about Isa needing time to rest and find peace

eaded for the hospital. There was no

-

2: Isa

le on her face, the one that always made me feel a little lighter, like I wasn't as alone as

id, my voice soft. "You didn't have to d

at the work had been bulkier than she thought. There was no mention of her conversation with my father, and I didn't push he

atching her closely. "You look l

s just a bit much, but I'll get through i

like she had to carry so much for me. But I couldn't help it. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep it together,

end together. My mind wandered again, back to the questions I never seemed to

window, and I found myself wo

ove a whisper. "Do you think... do yo

imagine her face, to hear her voice in my head. It had been so long since I'd felt her presence. And now, as

with warmth. "Isa, I think your mom would be so proud of you. You've fought

on lingered, haunting me. Would she really be proud of the woman

ather. I wondered if he was proud of

ead Claire. He never said the words I needed to hear. He never show

asked, my voice trembling slightly. "O

the way she tried to reassure me. "Isa, your dad is proud of you. He's

ve her, I really did. But the silence between us, the cold

murmured. "He doesn't show it, Clair

e again. "Isa, I know it's hard, but he's trying. He's proud

clung to me. It was hard to accept

n't sure what I was waiting for-some kind of clarity, maybe. Somethin

s Claire continued to chat quietly beside me, I could

asn't uncomfortable; it was just... there. I finished my meal in silence, hoping the

, I closed my eyes and let the darkness of sle

ftly, mostly to myself, "I wonder if th

ff into sleep, my thoughts lingering in th