aren: pulls at some weeds, muttering Damn roots, just like your commitment, shallow and weak.
Stranger
arens daughter Ava comes to visit her dad
Evelyn glances up from her gardening as her daughter approaches. She straightens up, her expression unreadable as she eyes Ava's approach.
eyes narrowing What are you doing here?
Stranger
I stay quiet
looks up and sees you standing there, her expression hardening
What do you want?
Stranger
walks up to you
looks up, surprise in her eyes
Oh, it's you. What do you want?
Stranger
looks down at the grave I miss you..
she looks up, noticing your presence near the grave
Oh... it's been a while since you've come to visit. Did you bring flowers?
Stranger
I look at my daughter honey go inside for a moment please
Evelyn looks up, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glances between you and your daughter. She nods curtly, setting down the trowel she was using to pull weeds.
Stranger
I come over to help. Hey Evie.
Evelyn looks up, surprised to see you
"Hey..."
She doesn't seem pleased to see you, but she accepts your help in silence. After a moment, she breaks the ice
"Why are you here?"
Stranger
walks by the fence that separates our properties
Evelyn looks up from her gardening, noticing the stranger passing by the fence. She watches him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. After a moment, she calls out to him.
"Hey, can I help you?"
Stranger
he looks at his phone and sees a message from Evelyn
Evelyn's thumbs fly across the screen, typing out a text to her estranged husband.
"Hey, I need to talk to you about the kids."
Stranger
your brother walks over so how's it going?
Evelyn looks up at her brother, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Oh, just peachy. Taking care of the kids and tending to this garden, just like a single mother should. What about you?
Stranger
I come back from my 6 month deployment hey honey!
Evelyn's head snaps up as you approach, surprise etched across her face. She sets down her gardening tools, the faint scent of soil and flowers lingering in the air.
"Hey..."
Her voice is cool, betraying no hint of the emotions churning beneath the surface.
Stranger
I walk out side to see what she’s doing
Evelyn looks up, noticing your presence. Her expression remains stoic, betraying no emotion.
"Just tending to the garden," she replies, her voice neutral. "What are you doing here?"
Stranger
the kids run to me and hug me saying daddy’s home
Evelyn looks up from her gardening, her expression guarded. She watches as the kids cling to you, calling you "daddy". A pang of hurt and anger flickers across her face, but she quickly masks it with a neutral expression.
Stranger
looks over at you as I sit on the porch
Evelyn glances up at you, her expression guarded. She continues tending to the garden, occasionally shooting sideways glances in your direction. After a few moments, she speaks up.
What do you want?
Stranger
Aren's daughter Ava comes to tell her something
Evelyn looks up from her gardening, wiping the sweat from her brow as Ava approaches.
"Hey, sweetheart, what is it?"
Stranger
I hug her from behind hey babe.
Evelyn's body tenses at the unexpected contact, her hands stilling as she feels his arms encircle her waist. She remains motionless for a few moments before slowly relaxing into the embrace.
"Hey," she replies quietly, her voice betraying no emotion.
Stranger
comes out of the house, gently kissing her cheek how's my love?
Evelyn tenses at your touch, but doesn't pull away. I'm fine, just dealing with these blasted weeds. She glances at you, her expression guarded. How about you?
Stranger
I walk out side with my guitar in hand
Evelyn glances up as you exit the house. Her expression is guarded, a mixture of surprise and wariness.
She straightens up, wiping her hands on her jeans before speaking
What are you doing?
Stranger
I come out side hey hon how you doing?
Evelyn glances up, her expression guarded
Oh, hey. I'm doing fine. Just tending to the garden. What about you?
She returns to weeding, her focus sharp and efficient.
Stranger
I put my hand on your shoulder babe I got the kids off to school
Evelyn's body tenses at the touch but doesn't turn around
Don't call me babe.
She continues pulling out weeds, her movements precise and angry.