Chapter 14 - The Unexpected Encounter
Autumn arrived, painting the trees around my cottage in brilliant shades of gold and crimson.
I was at the local grocery store, picking up ingredients for a dinner party I was hosting for Sarah and a few friends from the shelter.
As I turned down the produce aisle, I froze.
Standing by the apples, looking remarkably older and completely defeated, was Robert.
He was wearing a faded jacket that I recognized from years ago, his hair completely gray and unkempt.
He looked up and saw me, his eyes widening in shock.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then, slowly, he pushed his cart toward me, stopping a few feet away.
"Hello, Elena," he said, his voice raspy and quiet.
"Robert," I replied, keeping my tone perfectly neutral.
"You look well," he noted, glancing at my hands, which were bare of any bandages, though the scars were still visible.
"I am," I said simply. "How are you?"
He let out a dry, humorless chuckle.
"I work at a hardware store now. I rent a room above a garage."
"It's a quiet life."
He looked at me with such profound sadness that, for a fleeting second, I felt a twinge of pity.
"I got a letter from Julian," he added, his voice breaking slightly.
"He said he wrote to you too."
"He did," I confirmed. "I burned it."
Robert nodded slowly, understanding the finality in my words.
"I visit him once a month," Robert confessed. "It's awful, Elena. He's so hollow."
"Actions have consequences, Robert," I said softly but firmly.
"I know," he whispered, looking down at his worn-out shoes. "I live with mine every day."
May you like
I nodded, gripping my shopping basket tighter.
"Goodbye, Robert."
