“Alright,” Evelyn conceded, “but she better have a good reason for all of this.” After hanging up the phone, Evelyn felt a knot of anxiety form in her stomach. She wanted to believe there was some logical explanation, but her instincts told her otherwise.

By midday, Claire arrived at Evelyn’s house. She looked more subdued than the day before, her usual carefree demeanor replaced by a hint of nervousness. Evelyn met her at the door, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of skepticism and concern.

“Thank you for letting me come over, Evelyn,” Claire said softly, her eyes downcast.

“I’m listening,” Evelyn replied, leading Claire to the living room. They sat opposite each other, the silence stretching between them like a taut wire.