Wash Her Feet novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Stand Still

"They fill silence," Rafe said in the clinic parking lot on Monday morning. "Everybody does. The one who needs the room to like them always talks first."

"Shelby never talks first," I said. "I've never once seen her lose."

"Yesterday you did."

I did not argue, because it was true.

"Don't answer a single question," he said. "Don't smile, don't cry, don't look at your phone. Pick a spot on the wall and breathe."

"And you?"

"I'll be by the door. Eating lunch."

It was nine in the morning, and he had a sandwich in his jacket.

I walked into the lobby of the clinic where I had worked for six years and stopped just inside.

The room was full.

There were pet owners with carriers and leashes, three of the vet techs, and my boss behind the front desk with her arms folded.

Lance's flooring team stood along the back wall in matching polo shirts.

Shelby sat in the middle of the waiting area with a tray of homemade cookies on her knees, looking tired and loving.

Lance stood next to her holding his phone up.

On the floor at his feet sat the white basin, filled to the line with steaming water.

"Oh, Hal," Shelby said, and she stood, and her eyes filled up on cue. "Thank you for coming. Everybody, I'm so glad you came."

"Hallie had a hard weekend," Shelby told them, softly. "We love her, and we all want to move forward. There's just one small thing that we always do, as a family. A tradition. She lost a game, and she owes me a little forfeit, and then it's over and everyone hugs."

She turned to me and held out her arms.

I did not step into them.

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