The rain had been falling steadily for hours, a constant, soft patter against the cabin windows that seemed to mirror the heaviness in Jas’s heart. They sat on the worn couch, staring blankly at the wall across from them, the silence hanging like a thick fog. They had tried to make themselves useful—sorting through boxes, attempting to clean—but nothing felt right today. Nothing felt enough.
The world outside was quiet, too, as if it were holding its breath. The air felt thick with unspoken words, unasked questions, and a quiet sense of emptiness. Even Milagro was laying low, her sore paw keeping her close to the cabin, avoiding the cool ground outside.
Jas ran their hand through their hair and sighed, feeling the weight of everything—the isolation, the uncertainty, the feeling that nothing was ever going to get better. They stared at the photograph on the table—the one of Ivy Mae, smiling with the faintest hint of a dream behind her eyes. Tomorrow was Ivy’s birthday, and Jas had nothing for her. They hadn’t been able to get anything. No gifts, no way to show her how much she meant to them. It was a heavy realization, and it made their chest ache.
Roman’s footsteps creaked on the old floorboards, breaking through the stillness. “Hey,” he said quietly, standing in the doorway with his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. “You okay?”
Jas looked up, forcing a weak smile. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”
Roman leaned against the doorframe, his eyes taking in Jas’s posture. “I know what you’re thinking. Tomorrow. Ivy’s birthday.”
Jas nodded, feeling the lump in their throat grow. “I don’t have anything for her, Roman. She’s done so much for me, and I feel like I’m failing her. How do I show her I care when everything’s falling apart?”
Roman gave a soft, understanding nod. “I get it. It’s tough. But you’re not failing her. You’re here. That’s what matters.”
Jas sighed, their gaze drifting back to the window, watching the rain blur the landscape outside. “I don’t know if it’s enough.”
Roman took a step forward, his voice quieter now. “It might not feel like it, but sometimes it’s the small things. You don’t need money or fancy gifts to show someone you care.”
Jas looked up, meeting Roman’s gaze. “Then what should I do?”
Roman’s eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. “I’ve got something. Something that might just work.”