And then, just before the door swung shut, a sound that might have been a groan or might have been nothing at all. Then silence. Then Cindy’s footsteps returning. She came back across the lobby with the practiced expression of someone delivering news they’d delivered before. “Mr. Fitch just has a few things to get through first. He’ll call you in shortly.”
“Alright,” Elias said. “Thank you.” She went back to her desk. He sat and waited. The minutes stretched. He thought about the east field. He thought about the fence post on the south boundary that had been leaning since the last wind. He thought about the drive back and whether he’d stop at the diner or just go straight home.