Lacey
He seemed confused by her chilly demeanor. She couldn't imagine why. Or she supposed she could. She supposed she'd had enough energy to pretend for him, play along like she was la-dee-da fine and dandy, sure. Whatever made him happy. Which wasn't her. Whatever made it easier on him.
She had no energy for it.
She had no care.
He obeyed the short distance between them and continued walking. "Yeah, okay. Alright. How was your trip? You three have fun?" She sighed. Would run a hand through her hair if she could. He didn't really want to know this, did he? Why would he. What was there to tell?
"The boys loved it." Reilly had been impossibly sweet, as always. Worked so hard to make her smile. As always. She was just too damn broken, is all. Permanently damaged beyond repair. She knew of no way to right it. She just simply wouldn't be the same anymore. Ever.
She tried to make it sound like she cared when she asked, "How are you?" She did care. She just didn't want to know. Couldn't bear to hear him talk of all the things that make him happy that aren't her. Would never be her. She hated him and she just wanted to be done now. Done with everything. Done with life.
She hated that he was still everything.
He never should've been anything.
She was too exhausted to fake a smile and pretend she was just grand.
