A small smile was forced onto Elodie’s face at Kaz’s words, slightly less uncomfortable now that she realized he was just as awkward as she felt. Tension seeped slowly from her shoulders as she continued to gaze towards the man, desperately wishing to stay in the present and not ruminate on the past. It was difficult to do so when she was staring Kaz straight in the face, her eyes eventually pulling from him to rest on Tucker. Of course he hadn’t expected to be here, she thought unhappily; he’d never seen himself staying in this small Georgia town but neither had she. But that was then and this was now, she silently determined, her jaw clenching barely as she continued to look over the rusted chains of the swing.

“Thanks,” Elodie said, staying firmly rooted in place. She only allowed herself a glimpse up at his broad, handsome smile before looking back to Tucker, who continued to be the best kind of pest. “Unfortunately, Tuck’s never met a stranger. He’s got a big bark, but no bite.” When he was finished sniffing Kaz, the dog jumped backwards and barked playfully before running off into the high, dried grass of the field. Ellie watched with a more genuine smile as the dog leapt high over the grass, no doubt with a tongue hanging out of his mouth. Her eyes lingered there even as Kaz continued to talk, slowly returning to his dark ones.

What did he want her to say? That no, asking how she was wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t ever be enough, not to make up for the unhappiness she’d suffered through thanks to him. She’d thought, naively, that they would have eventually married after school… but that hadn’t worked out, either.  Ellie didn’t want to talk to him anymore, especially if that meant talking about him leaving. It was the last thing that she’d come here for. Really, she’d just come for a bit of peace and quiet. There was a nice March wind blowing and she’d give anything to just allow herself to sit on a swing and listen while Tucker played. Unfortunately that didn’t seem like it was in the cards, and Elodie could only suffer through this.

“Talk away,” she said simply, moving forwards towards the swing set and taking the seat furthest away from Kaz.  “I…” Elodie cleared her throat as she lowered herself onto the hard wooden seat, slender fingers wrapping around the chains before she slowly began to rock back and forth. “I’m sorry to hear about your father,” she said eventually, allowing silence to come between them once more. She’d had a fondness for the older man, though she didn’t feel the same could be said of him. He’d always looked on her like she was holding Kaz back. Perhaps she had been, but that hadn’t stopped him from leaving. She still had both of her parents, thankfully, and could offer very little in the way of true empathy.

 “To answer your question,” she continued, moving quickly from that subject in case Kaz didn’t wish to speak of it, “I’m fine. I opened a vet clinic in town. It isn’t much, but it’s finally kicking up. Elodie Gallagher, DVM.” Ellie rolled her eyes at that, though her smile was growing wider with each passing moment. “I’ve been fine, though. Happy. But address away,” she said with a soft laugh, looking up to Kaz again. Ellie heard Tucker bark in the distance, no doubt at a squirrel or a rabbit. “You said you were going to find me?” she asked, her nose scrunching slightly. 

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