Harper
He notices immediately. Too well trained to even pretend at ignorance or distraction. Jude notices too, though only after he has crossed the threshold after one last lingering hug and kiss to the top of his head from his father. Moments later enveloped in the same from Phoebe, inspiring little giggles. “Okay mom,” he assures obediently, though it’s clear by the way he hesitates that he can sense something is wrong. Changing. Children are astute like that, and Harper hates it, so he smiles reassuringly until Jude has disappeared into his room.
Reluctant to have this conversation even in the entrance where Jude may hear, Harper steps down off the stoop so Phoebe can exit and close the main door before he speaks. Tone carefully controlled and quiet, revealing nothing. “You could have told me you were wanting to move before you did,” he murmurs, and can’t conceal the sadness in his eyes that contrasts his empty tone. Regretful, wishing so many things hadn’t happened that led to this: Phoebe not being able to talk to him about much more than Jude. “Where will you be going?”
Reluctant to have this conversation even in the entrance where Jude may hear, Harper steps down off the stoop so Phoebe can exit and close the main door before he speaks. Tone carefully controlled and quiet, revealing nothing. “You could have told me you were wanting to move before you did,” he murmurs, and can’t conceal the sadness in his eyes that contrasts his empty tone. Regretful, wishing so many things hadn’t happened that led to this: Phoebe not being able to talk to him about much more than Jude. “Where will you be going?”
I am water - soft enough to offer life
tough enough to drown it away
tough enough to drown it away
