whispers of shade

young and dreaming. The house had always been a little lopsided, but her father had insisted it had character, like all the best things in life. The porch swing groaned with a

s, or maybe a memory of them from thirty years ago. Clara wasn't sure anymore where his thoughts landed. Some days he w

he sound of a c

one hand and a basket in the other. He looked like he'd stepped out of a dream-or a photograph long hidde

fferings," he said, lif

sed over her chest. "You always di

," he replied with a smal

taking in the familiar surroundings. The air inside was thick with the scent of lemon polish and chamomile,

nd opened the bag to reveal a still-warm blu

," Clara said q

ot," he repli

led from the living room, "Clara, did you let the ca

nced at he

haven't had a cat in six years," she said softly. "But he

tea. They sat at the table in a silence that wa

ter a few long moments, stirring

hinks I'm his sister, or some nurse from the VA hospital. Last week he tried to take the

must

nished for him

ubbed the back of hi

is alone. And she's not wrong. But... this house, Julian. He built it. Every cabinet hinge, every floorbo

pine cabinets, the same cracked tile by the sink. A photograph of C

rew up

e a whisper. "This house has more of me

why you

rrected. Her tone was sharp now, br

tly. "I didn't know i

t. You left. That wa

it again. Finally, he said, "I th

ought disappearing without a word wa

now how to stay and not become l

ason to stay?" she asked, he

n the air, thick wi

pulled out a small, folded photo. He s

smiled up at her, dandelions tangled in her h

is?" she ask

to I never printed

anger in her faded, replaced by s

u really he

swer. None of them felt quite right. He swallo

out first. But then something happened. And I realized the only thing I

he photo. She traced the corners with her finger

if it is?"

e barely above a whisper. "

years of silence and shared memories. The ticking cl

surprising clarity: "Clara, your mother always said dandelio

losed h

ad ma

ed to believe it mi

-