When you need a friend
Thalia POV
Abby followed Thalia on a leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood, the afternoon sun filtered by a light veil of cloud. The conversation started timidly, with words exchanged about the weather and the children, but very quickly Thalia tried to encourage her to talk about subjects that might lighten the mood, if this was Abby wanted.
- You know, at the town hall it's always a bit chaotic,’ Thalia said with a light smile. You'd think that organising a meeting or planning an event would be easy, but no, there are always unforeseen circumstances.
Just yesterday, a delegation of shopkeepers complained about a signage problem, and I found myself running around trying to sort it out.
Abby listened, absorbing every word as a welcome distraction. She nodded, a faint smile grazing her lips. Thalia smiled, the words working for the moment.
- ‘It must be exhausting,’ Abby said softly. But... rewarding, isn't it? To see things getting better because of you.
Thalia shrugged.
- Yes, it's rewarding sometimes. But honestly, some days I dream of a job where I could just sit back with a nice cup of coffee and avoid conflict. What about you, though?
Have you thought about what you'd like to do here?Going back to your old job?
Abby hesitated, fiddling nervously with the hem of her jumper. She hadn't really taken the time to think about it yet. It all seemed too vast, too unreal.
- I'm... I'm not ready yet,’ she admitted. Going back to what I had before seems... impossible. Everything reminds me of Samuel. We don't need money at the moment. I don't have the energy for work.
Thalia put a comforting hand on her arm.
- That's normal, Abby. It hasn't been that long. But you know, sometimes talking about good memories can help. Do you want to tell me about him? What he was like?
Abby slowed her pace, surprised by the question. A lump formed in her throat, but she also felt a strange relief. She nodded.
- He was... so patient,’ she began, her voice trembling but soft. With Luna, especially. When she was a baby and cried all night, he always got up before me. He'd rock her, sing her songs, even if they didn't make any sense. Just to soothe her.
A sincere smile played on her lips as she remembered.
- He once sang to her... ’ Frogs bounce in the moonlight’. It was ridiculous, but it made her laugh, and that's how she fell asleep,’ she added with a slight burst of laughter, quickly drowned by a tear that she wiped away with the back of her hand.
She stopped, Thalia hesitated, would a hug help?
- I still hear it sometimes, in my head. And I miss it so much.
Thalia squeezed his arm gently, letting her breathe for a moment.
- He was an incredible man, Abby. And as hard as it is to believe now, those memories, they'll never go away. They belong to you forever.
Abby nodded, her eyes misty, but she felt a strange lightness come over her, as if these words, this walk, had allowed her to put down her burden for a moment.
- Thank you,’ she murmured. It's good to talk about it. It really is.
Thalia offered her a reassuring smile.
- Always there for you. Come on, why don't we go and get some ice cream for the children? I'm sure they'd love it.
Abby nodded, her heart feeling a little less heavy.