They walked into the Waffle House at . The fluorescent lights buzzed. A waitress named Dottie poured them coffee without asking. They slid into a booth by the window, knees bumping under the table.
“I’m fine.” Mina wasn’t fine. Her lower back was a knot of tension, her eyes were gritty, and her right hand had gone numb from gripping the wheel. But looking at Elara, she felt something closer to invincible than tired. Loving ladies 2024 01 16 -- 00-33-1226-04 Min
Mina didn’t wake her immediately. Instead, she sat in the dark, watching the slow rise and fall of Elara’s chest. The dashboard clock ticked to . January 16th. Officially the middle of a cold, quiet month. No holiday. No anniversary. Just a Tuesday bleeding into Wednesday. They walked into the Waffle House at
“Liar,” Elara murmured, but she reached across the center console and took Mina’s hand. Her fingers were warm. “Thank you. For taking me. For leaving when I needed to leave.” They slid into a booth by the window,