"I want to visit your father's grave early today. The cemetery has finished some renovations, so I want to see for myself that everything is alright."
"I see. Tell Dad I said hi."
"Hahaha!" She trilled, the sound light and musical. I knew that little joke would get a smile out of her. She placed the sandwich she'd prepared onto my plate and reached out, caressing my cheek as if I were a little kid again. "Eat this before you go. You need to stay healthy, dear. I don't want you to lose any more weight."
"Thanks, Mum. I'll take it with me. I have a mountain of work to get through, so—"
"Don't overdo it."
That kind of warm, domestic atmosphere was fine. I could deal with that for the rest of the week.
I nodded and left the house on time, eating a bit of the sandwich on the way since the day ahead looked relentless. As expected, Eva was already at her post when I reached the office, waiting for me with the black coffee I needed to jump-start my brain.
