“Guess that was it,” he said flatly. “Your big reward.” She didn’t answer. He paused in the doorway, squinting at her. “You gonna stay here?” “I don’t know.” He nodded slowly. “Well. Good luck with it.” He didn’t offer a hug. Didn’t shake her hand.
Just walked out, the screen door slamming gently behind him. She watched from the front window as he climbed into his car and backed out of the gravel driveway without looking back. For a moment, the silence that followed felt final.