When Evan asked where she’d worked before, the owner shrugged. “Didn’t say. I didn’t push. Everyone’s got their story.” Evan noted the way he said it, not casually, but intentionally. As if he’d sensed her caution from the start but respected it enough not to pry. Evan wished he had that restraint.
The owner added, “You can tell she’s been through things. But she never causes trouble. Shows up early, leaves late, works hard, same routine every day.” Evan thanked him, though the answer only deepened the mystery. People escaping normal lives still carried shadows. Lena carried an entire eclipse.