The Space Between Us Now

Chapter 1

September 1st marked a significant milestone in Eleanor's life—her son Thomas was starting his last year of preschool. The alarm hadn’t even gone off yet when the little guy climbed out of bed on his own. With a quiet determination, he dressed himself in his school uniform, looking every bit the part of a young scholar.

He stood beside the bed, watching Eleanor with wide, innocent eyes.

When the alarm finally blared, Eleanor scrambled for her phone, bleary-eyed and disoriented. As she turned and caught sight of Thomas standing silently with a toy car in his hands, she almost jumped out of her skin.

“Thomas, you—” Eleanor half-gasped, unable to wrap her head around the sight. “You woke up all by yourself?”

He beamed up at her. “Yep, Mommy! I’m going to big-kid class today, so I needed to get up early!”

Eleanor knelt to touch his cheek, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and worry. “But you went to bed at ten last night. I set the alarm for seven, so that’s still nine hours of sleep. How long have you been up? Are you tired?”

Thomas squatted down to play with his cars, his expression carefree. “I’m not tired!”

Eleanor moved to the kitchen, dishing out a bowl of congee that had been slowly cooking overnight. She placed it on the dining table and turned on a fan to cool it down—her morning routine, one that now felt oddly out of sync seeing her son so self-sufficient.

As they headed out, Eleanor noticed the door across the hall swung wide open, revealing an array of moving boxes piled high. Their neighbor’s teddy dog was tied to the doorknob, barking anxiously.

“Mommy, where’s the dog going?” Thomas asked, pointing as he tried to shuffle closer. Just in time, Eleanor grabbed him, pulling him back. He loved dogs, adored all little creatures, but she was cautious—she never wanted him too close.

At that moment, the elevator dinged and out stepped Emma, the owner of the trembling terrier. She paused when she saw Eleanor, momentarily surprised. “Eleanor, you’re up early today!”

Eleanor forced a smile, embarrassment creeping in. “Yeah, Thomas surprised me by waking up on his own. Big class today, you know.”

The boy, overhearing, chimed in, “Mom said I should grow up fast after she fought with Dad last night!”

Emma laughed lightly, trying to lighten the mood. “I heard a bit of that! Just hang in there, Eleanor. Soon enough, you'll have your freedom again once they’re all grown.”

Eleanor’s smile faltered as she checked her watch. “Emma, I’ll catch up with you later. I need to drop him off first.”

Emma shook her head sympathetically. “I’m moving today, so we might not see each other for a while.”

As they stepped into the elevator, Eleanor pressed the button, and just before the doors closed, she caught Emma’s words echoing in her mind, “Divorced.”

The statement hit her like a punch in the gut, the weight of it settling deep. She remembered Emma mentioning years ago that once her daughter left for college, she was out. They had just dropped off the girl at college days before. It had really happened.

“What’s divorced?” Thomas’s innocent voice snapped Eleanor from her thoughts.

Caught off guard, she took a breath. “Divorce is when a mom and dad don’t want to live together anymore. They go their separate ways.” She always answered his queries with care, making sure he knew how much she valued his understanding of the world.

Thomas blinked at her, his big eyes full of curiosity. “But that’s for other people, right? You and Daddy are forever together.”

Eleanor wrapped her arms around him, feeling the warmth of his sweet innocence wash over her like a gentle breeze. “You are my precious gift, and I would endure anything for you.”

As she dropped Thomas off at preschool, he hesitated at the door, turning back to ask, “Mommy, what’s going to happen to that dog?”

Eleanor couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head.

After saying goodbye, she strolled down the street. The summer had tied her and Thomas together in a whirlwind of playdates, meals, and shared joys, but now with him in school, she was supposed to have scores of free time. Each year when he went back to school, it felt like liberation was on the horizon.

But as she watched the glamorously put-together working moms bustle past her, an unsettling feeling churned in her stomach. If only she had a mountain of money, maybe then it would all be simpler. But she wasn’t rolling in cash, nor was she completely useless. Life just threw her into this stay-at-home role because nobody else could step in to help with childcare.

Frustration brewing, Eleanor reached for her phone to call Robert. After their blowup yesterday, he had headed straight to the office and didn’t come home even last night.

After several attempts, she only got voicemail. Each unanswered call stoked the fire of her anger. Robert’s attitude had been nothing short of rude. She sometimes brought up the idea of divorce, only to be dismissed and told she was making a fuss.

Wandering further, she passed the courthouse and noticed a small crowd outside, cars overflowing the parking lot. Curiosity sparked, she wondered, “What’s the occasion that drew so many people?” But almost instantly, she thought, “It’s back-to-school season. Could it be kids are graduating and their parents are here to file for divorce?”

After aimlessly walking a few blocks, Eleanor returned to her apartment complex. When she stepped into the elevator, it lingered longer than usual on the ninth floor—Emma’s floor. As the doors slid open, she saw that Emma’s belongings still cluttered the hallway, the dog barking uncontrollably.

Knocking on Emma’s door, Eleanor called out, “Emma, are you there?”

Beaming, Emma opened the door wide. “Eleanor! You made it back! I’ve been waiting for you!”

Surprised, Eleanor pointed to her own chest. “Waiting for me?”

“Yes!” Emma replied, untying the dog, then closing in on Eleanor. “I have a favor to ask. With my daughter off to college, I didn’t think about the dog. I’m worried about leaving her while I settle in somewhere new. Could you keep her for a bit until I can come back to get her?”

Eleanor stared at the eager request, the unwanted responsibility hovering in the air between them.

Chapter 2

Eleanor Fairford wasn’t afraid of dogs, but she was terrified of what they could do to her son. That’s why she firmly refused to take in Victor Stone, and it left her neighbor Emma Greenwood more than a little frustrated.

The two families had lived next to each other for years without any significant arguments. But now, with Victor in the picture, Emma couldn't hold back. “Eleanor, you’re being overly cautious. If you keep this up, your marriage is going to crumble.”

Eleanor was taken aback by Emma's bluntness. Anger flared within her, but she was never one to engage in conflict easily. After a brief silence, she simply responded, “Sophia, I wish you all the best.”

With that, she turned and opened the door to Fairford Manor.

Emma felt a pang of regret and quickly added, “Eleanor, I didn’t mean it that way. I know you’re a good person; I just wish you wouldn’t be so overly cautious. Honestly, I think your husband is fed up with it too.”

Eleanor felt her heart constrict. Tears of frustration threatened to flow as she stammered, “Sophia, I envy you. Your kids are grown; you have your own life. But have you ever heard the saying? ‘If you can’t help me on my path, don’t meddle in my life.’”

With those words, she stepped inside and shut the door firmly behind her.

Emma stood outside, stunned for a moment.

Leaning against the door, Eleanor could hear Victor barking a few times. She had a soft heart, but these past few years, she had learned to suppress her desires for the sake of her child. In the past, she would have happily offered to help Emma with Victor. But now, she was a mother first. Her son was her treasure. There was no way she would risk his safety. A dog bite could mean more than a vaccine; it came with too many uncertainties.

She switched on the TV, landing on a news channel.

“Today is September 1, the first day of school. Not only are the schools bustling with activity, but Crown Civil Registry is also packed. Many parents, after waiting until their children turned 18 and headed to college, are rushing in to file for divorce. The staff handles the paperwork with barely a glance as they see the kids are all grown up.” The screen showed bustling scenes at the Crown Civil Registry.

At that moment, Eleanor's husband, Robert Blackwell, called.

She’d been steaming over him not answering earlier, but the sight of his name lit up her phone weakened her resolve. As soon as she picked up, her anger dissipated.

“Emma’s moving away,” she informed him.

“Is that what you called to tell me? Why should I care about someone else’s business?” Robert asked, his tone dismissive.

Eleanor felt the heat rising in her chest, frustration bubbling over. This was so typical of him. In the beginning, when they were dating, things didn’t seem this way. But ever since their child was born, every time she spoke to him, he either brushed her off or told her to get to the point. She felt less important than his coworkers, as if she had lost the right to engage in real conversation.

“Why do you treat me like this? I’m the one who gave you a child! If your mother could handle the baby, do you really think I’d still be here, begging you for money?” Her voice raised higher with every word.

Robert fell silent.

“Say something,” Eleanor shouted, wishing she could give him a good whack for how helpless her frustration made her feel. She was done being at the mercy of his indifference.

“I’m at work, Eleanor. Not everyone has the luxury of sitting at home all day. I’m busy, okay?” With that, he hung up without another word.

Eleanor stared at the abrupt silence where the call had just ended, shaking her head in disbelief. “What were you thinking, Eleanor? Why did you ever get involved with this jerk?”

She plopped down on the couch, pondering that thought for a while. Suddenly, she dashed into the study and pulled out her trophies, laying them across the floor.

Memories came flooding back. The spirited college girl she once was, the ambitious young professional… vibrant, cheerful, and radiant.

And now? She was surrounded by her cramped little house and an endless cycle of chores.

Letting out a deep sigh, she gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Robert stood in front of his office window at Blackwell Office, wrestling with his own emotions. He had grown weary of Eleanor. Each encounter felt charged with tension, as if they were two opposing forces that could barely coexist.

But then he glanced at a photo on his desk—his son Thomas, bright-eyed and cherubic. He knew Eleanor had sacrificed a lot for their child, enduring hardships that he had never acknowledged.

Yet, as soon as Eleanor’s irrational side popped into his head, he couldn’t help but let out a heavy sigh.

A knock interrupted his reverie, and he looked up to see his old classmate and colleague, Henry Hawthorne.

They’d known each other for years, and the familiarity allowed Robert to drop his guard. But today, he didn’t feel like hiding his irritation.

“What’s with that long face?” Henry settled onto the sofa in Robert’s office, half concerned, half teasing.

“Same old problems, you know how it is,” Robert grumbled, absentmindedly reaching for a set of car keys on his desk. “Let’s grab some dinner after work.”

Henry shot up from the couch, tilting his head. “Aren’t you supposed to pick your son up? It’s his first day at school, remember?”

Robert snapped his fingers. “I forgot all about that. Ugh, Eleanor’s been lecturing me so much I’m starting to lose track of my own life.”

“Come on, man, stop sounding like a lost puppy. You used to be head over heels for her,” Henry said, pointing a finger. “Just go pick up your kid. Trust me, don’t forget about the romance in your marriage just because you’ve tied the knot. You gotta keep things interesting.”

Robert gave Henry a playful nudge, prompting him to theatrically stumble.

“Dude, you’re in your thirties. Not marrying and just dating is pretty much just being a player, you know that?” Robert quipped as he closed the office door behind them.

Just then, Henry’s phone chimed, grabbing his attention. He swiped at the screen, tapping away quickly.

Robert raised an eyebrow. “Honestly, you’ve never changed your password? Aren’t you worried?”

Henry shrugged without looking up. “Why would I? I mean, you’re the one paranoid about Eleanor searching your phone.”

As soon as Henry mentioned it, Robert had nothing to say.

Henry kept tapping away, seemingly unbothered.

As they stepped into the elevator and headed towards Stonecell Vault, Henry was so absorbed he didn’t notice the column ahead, colliding with it.

Instead of crying out in pain, Henry’s face lit up. “Amelia Winterbourne is coming back!”

Hearing that name made Robert’s heart skip. A prickly sensation crept in; things were about to get complicated, and he had a feeling it wouldn’t end well.

Just days ago, Amelia had reached out to him.

Amelia Winterbourne was their college classmate who had climbed the career ladder remarkably; now she was SF Real Estate’s chief consultant for the Greater China region. Among their peers, her success was nearly unmatched.

But personally, she’d always kept her affairs close to her chest; news of her romantic life was scarce, overshadowed by her professional achievements.

And now, Henry seemed oddly enthusiastic about Amelia’s return.

Deep in his gut, Robert sensed trouble on the horizon.

Chapter 3

The kindergarten that Su Du attended was part of the esteemed university, Michigan State University, and the kids didn’t get out until 5:30 PM—much later than most preschools in the area, which typically wrapped up by 4:30. The extended hours were designed with the busy schedules of faculty and staff in mind, aligning perfectly with their own workdays.

Michigan State was a top-tier university, the kind of place that only the brightest students could dream of attending. Su Xin, Su Du's father, had been one of those top students, acing his entrance exams and later earning a spot in the graduate program without needing additional tests. He knew the quality of education there was exceptional, and he was determined that his son wouldn't fall behind right from the start. So even though neither he nor his wife, Xiao Chun, worked at the university, he went out of his way to secure a spot for their son at Missouri University's affiliated preschool.

The preschool was a bit of a trek from their home, which Xiao Chun often complained was inconvenient for pick-ups. But more than that, every time she stood in line, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider. Most of the other parents were either university faculty or their families, discussing the latest campus gossip or which café served the best lunch. Meanwhile, she stood there alone, feeling like a thorn in their community.

Today was the first day of a new school year, and Xiao Chun arrived at the usual time only to find a long queue snaking out the door. This had become a tradition; anxious parents showing up early, fearing their child would suffer if they were late—especially with so many little ones starting school for the first time.

As she stood in line, she didn’t recognize many faces, and saw instead an influx of strangers, and that unsettled her.

When the gates finally swung open, a security guard waved them in, and people shuffled forward in an orderly fashion. The woman behind Xiao Chun tapped her lightly on the back.

“Does your kid cry when you pick him up?” the woman asked.

Xiao Chun paused in surprise before breaking into a small smile. “Oh, my son isn’t a first-year. He’s in the big kindergarten class now.”

The woman looked skeptical. “Really? Then why are you here so early? I thought only parents of new kids worried like that.”

Xiao Chun simply smiled politely but couldn’t help but take a closer look at the woman. Her skin was marked with brown patches, deep bags under her eyes, and her hair, despite being pulled back, was unkempt. She wore a wrinkled white t-shirt and vibrant red capris, and her white sandals were dirtied from the ground.

In that moment, Xiao Chun couldn’t imagine her as a university teacher. “Are you a Michigan State teacher?” she inquired.

The woman chuckled good-naturedly. “Oh no, not me. My husband teaches there; I just manage the kids at home.”

That caught Xiao Chun's interest. She hadn’t expected someone so ordinary could be married to a professor, but looking at the woman’s humble demeanor, Xiao Chun felt a strange kinship. “Do you work? How do you have time to pick up your kids?” she probed.

“No, I take care of the children myself. No family around to help,” the woman replied, her tone matter-of-fact.

At that moment, Xiao Chun felt a subtle sense of relief. This woman didn’t appear to have any advantage over her, and yet she looked content. There was a serene quality about her, one that Xiao Chun couldn’t quite place but found herself envious of.

When it was Xiao Chun’s turn, she swiped her entry card and stepped through the gate. She glanced back to see the woman go towards the younger kids. The kindergarten was divided; the little ones were on the ground floor, the middle classes on the second, and the big kids on the third.

As she ascended the stairs to collect her son, Su Du showed signs of excitement, squirming to break free from her grip. He was eager to link arms with his classmates and head out together. The director, lovingly referred to as "Mommy Director," stood at the entrance, waving cheerfully to the kids as they left.

Suddenly, Su Du shouted, “Bye, Mommy Director!” catching Xiao Chun off guard.

“Wow, you said goodbye all on your own today! What gives?” she asked him, pride swelling in her chest.

Adjusting the strap of his water bottle across his chest, Su Du proclaimed, “Yeah! I’m a big kid now. I’m the oldest in the whole school. The teachers say we have to set a good example!”

Xiao Chun felt her heart brim with joy as she ruffled his hair. Moments later, a few kids hollered out his name.

“Su Du! Su Du!”

As he waved back, Xiao Chun’s surprise was evident. “Who are they? You know them?”

“They’re from the big class too. Oh, and one from the pre-k, I think,” he said.

The sight of her son, brimming with confidence and camaraderie, made her realize he was growing up fast.

“You’re officially a ‘big kid’ now! I’m so proud of you!” she beamed, giving him a thumbs up.

“Thanks, Mom! I think you’re the prettiest and best mommy in the whole world!” he replied, grinning with all his teeth.

Xiao Chun felt her cheeks heat with disbelief. “Really? Prettier than your teacher? Prettier than the other moms?” she teased, reaching for his water bottle.

To her surprise, he tugged the strap away and said, “I can carry it myself!” With that, he strutted forward, puffing his chest out.

Strutting wasn’t quite the right word, but Xiao Chun couldn’t find one that fit better. He walked with a new kind of confidence, as if he had suddenly grown taller and broader, a proud young boy exuding a presence that was hard to ignore.

As she wiped a tear of pride from her eye, she spotted her husband, Su Xin, leaning against a car, phone in hand. He looked good—confident, polished, and surprisingly mature. It had been years since they’d been together, but he hadn’t aged a day; he had only grown more distinguished.

Xiao Chun couldn’t believe he had come to pick up Su Du. They often fought, and she had managed to despise him at times, but she had to admit, he never shied away from his responsibilities as a father.

Their son dashed over, beaming, with Xiao Chun caught up in his rush. For a fleeting moment, she recalled how once, years ago, they would run toward each other with the same eagerness. Now, even when they stood together, it felt like there was a barrier between them, something intangible but firmly in place.

Su Du flung himself into Su Xin’s arms, all focus on his father, with no more than a passing glance back at Xiao Chun.

Chapter 4

Dudley was unusually well-behaved today. He woke up on his own, dressed without a fuss, and even made an effort to greet Margaret Hartwell when they passed her on the street. Eleanor Fairford couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pride that she wanted to share with Robert Blackwell, even though it was overshadowed by her lingering annoyance.

Robert leaned down and gently bumped his forehead against Dudley’s, grinning like a proud father. “Wow, Dudley, look at you! Growing up so fast!”

Eleanor watched him, feeling her stomach twist. He didn’t even glance her way as he celebrated their son’s progress. What had started as a proud smile quickly morphed into something else entirely. She felt ridiculous for thinking he’d include her in the joy; it was like she was offering her warmth to a man with a brick wall for a heart. Things were only getting worse, and they both ignored the tension simmering just beneath the surface—a festering wound no one wanted to acknowledge.

She went silent as Robert hoisted Dudley into his arms and ambled towards Market Square. A fleeting desire to bolt surged through her, to disappear and leave him scrambling with regret and guilt. But for Dudley’s sake, she kept her distance, following behind as though she was just another passerby.

Her heart ached. Robert’s back was familiar yet foreign. She remembered the day they brought Dudley home from St. Mary’s Hospital, her mother cradling their newborn while Robert held her hand tight, declaring that, despite the arrival of their child, she would always come first.

But time had washed those promises away; he had forgotten what it meant to cherish her.

As she opened the car door, she felt both like the owner of the vehicle and on the outside looking in. The only difference was that the man sitting in the driver’s seat was filled with indifference instead of love.

She realized that returning to the way things used to be was impossible now. If she weren't Dudley’s mother and they were still in the early days of their romance, she would never have allowed him to treat her like this. But here they were. The kid came first.

As the car pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward the north campus gate, Robert’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then shot her a quick look. It was subtle, but she caught it.

She purposely stayed quiet.

The phone continued to ring, and Robert let it go unanswered, again and again.

Dudley, fiddling with a miniature car, clambered forward, his little head poking into Robert’s line of sight. “Daddy, your phone is ringing!”

Robert smiled at him, brushing it off. “I know, buddy, it’s just a call from a coworker. No big deal.”

Eleanor couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “Why don’t I answer it for you?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Robert dismissed her.

Eleanor’s temper flared with indignation now. “Pull over! I want to get out.”

Dudley’s anxious voice cut in, “Mommy, what’s wrong?”

Eleanor struggled with the door handle, intent on making her point.

Robert yelled, “Are you out of your mind?”

Eleanor shot back, “Yeah, I’m crazy! I want to get as far away from you as possible!”

He slammed the brakes, the car lurching to a stop. “What have I done this time?”

Dudley was scared, his little face crumpled as he cried out, “Mommy, don’t go, please don’t go!”

Robert was torn between anger and guilt as he looked at their son. “Eleanor, can you just let it go for now? Look how upset Dudley is. Can we talk about this at home?”

Glancing down at Dudley, Eleanor’s heart softened. He was trembling with fear, his tears streaming down his cheeks.

She wrapped her arms around him and let her own tears flow, silent sobs wracking her body.

When they reached the Homestead, Eleanor marched straight to the Chamber, slammed the door behind her, and locked it. She curled up inside, refusing to come out.

From outside, Dudley knocked frantically. “Mommy, Mommy!” Each knock grew more pitiful than the last, and her heart ached at the sound.

Soon, her ears caught the laughter of Robert and Dudley whispering outside. Just as she was settling into her own misery, the door swung open, and Dudley burst in, beaming and holding a cross-head screwdriver in the air like a trophy. “Ha! Mom, you can’t hide anymore! Daddy showed me how to unlock the door!”

Eleanor’s anger faltered, and a smile broke through her frustration despite herself.

Robert squatted in front of her. “Did you really think locking the door would work? He’s getting older—you can’t keep him out like that.”

She snatched the screwdriver away from Dudley. “This thing is dangerous! Give it to me.”

Seeing her relax a little, Robert took the chance to level with her. “Look, what you’re doing isn’t good for him. You’ve got to think about how this affects our son.”

Eleanor scoffed, “You think I want to be like this? If you actually respected me as your wife, I wouldn’t have to act out like this.” She hugged Dudley tighter. “Son, you’ve got to grow up fast. If you’re taller, Daddy can’t bully Mommy anymore.”

Dudley looked up, confused. “Why would I make it so you’re not bullied?”

“Because if you’re grown, you can take care of yourself. You won’t be Mom’s weak spot anymore.”

Robert interrupted, “Don’t get too comfortable with that idea. Trust me, just because Dudley grows up doesn’t mean it’ll be easier. Look at our parents; we’ll still be their worries.”

Eleanor didn’t like that. “My parents are good parents. Yours? Not so much. My miserable life is thanks to them.”

“Enough with the blame game. You sound like a whiney toddler. Let’s just eat, it’s getting late.” He grabbed Dudley’s hand. “Come on, buddy, let’s get some dinner.”

She replied, almost daring him, “I didn’t make anything to eat.”

“Why not?” Robert shot back.

With indignation, she declared, “Since when do I have to be the one to cook? I just wasn’t in the mood today—what’s wrong with that?”

He covered his ears, clearly weary of the escalating tension. “Fine. No dinner? Then we’ll go out.”

He led Dudley away, sighing heavily as he opened the Chamber door.

She wanted to scold him for acting like a martyr, but one look at her son’s back made her hold her tongue.

Instead, she wandered into the Great Hall. Taking out a pen and paper, she scribbled a large note: “Countdown: 5 Years.”

When Dudley saw her taping the paper to the wall, he dashed over. “Mom, that paper is ugly!”

Both Robert and Eleanor erupted into laughter, the moment of joy piercing through the heaviness that had plagued them all day.

Chapter 5

A Week Later

It was one of those warm mornings at Willowbrook Nursery when Eleanor Fairford found herself standing in line to pick up her son. That’s when she spotted Clara Whitaker again. There was something about catching sight of her that brought a smile to Eleanor’s lips. Since their last encounter, she had been scanning the crowd, hoping to find her friend, only to come up empty.

But Clara sure looked different this time. Sure, her skin still had that lackluster quality, but her outfit was on point. She wore a floral dress that screamed summer chic, a clear step up from before.

Eleanor stepped closer, giving her a gentle tap on the shoulder, “Hey there.”

Clara seemed taken aback for a moment, as if she didn’t recognize her. There was a beat of awkward silence before Eleanor said, “It’s been a while! We talked last week, remember?” Despite her best efforts, the whole thing felt a bit cringey, and she decided against being overly familiar.

“Is your kid in the pre-K class too?” Clara asked, making Eleanor want to chuckle. That was the exact question she had asked last time. Clearly, Clara was having one of those days where her memory was offline. It was almost like clockwork — you have a baby, and suddenly your brain takes a vacation.

Eleanor could relate. After becoming a mom, her own mental sharpness had taken a hit. She always joked with her husband, Robert Blackwell, that she’d gotten dumber after giving birth. But Robert had a different perspective. He’d insist that if you don’t use it, you lose it, citing examples of several women in her office who were thriving after kids.

They were at an impasse. To paraphrase a trendy saying, men really could be so dense. Women bear the brunt of childbirth, and somehow, the men don’t see how that changes anything. “Just keep on trucking, right?” Eleanor thought bitterly.

The annoying part was that she had no one to vent to. Sure, her best friend Elena Ashford wouldn’t judge her — that much was true. But then again, Elena was childless and adamant about not being a mother at all. Complaining about the mundanity of domestic life was lost on her. Yet, every time they talked, Elena insisted it was time for Eleanor to divorce Robert.

Ah, what did a woman who wasn’t tied down know about marriage? Could Eleanor just up and leave? No, she couldn’t. But what she desperately craved was another stay-at-home mom to swap stories with, to chat about the joys and trials of household life. She had hoped Clara might be that kindred spirit, but Clara didn’t seem at all interested.

“My son’s in the kindergarten class now,” Eleanor replied, trying to end the awkwardness. She was about to turn away when Clara grabbed her arm.

“I think I remember now,” Clara said with a sheepish grin. “I think I asked you that last time. I’m terrible with names!”

“It’s fine. My memory’s pretty shot too. Isn’t that what happens to us mothers?” Eleanor replied absentmindedly, glancing over Clara’s shoulder at the other parents. One woman standing there, wearing glasses and looking very academic, shot her an icy look. No warmth from this one — just a withering glare.

Under the silent pressure of that woman’s imposing presence, Eleanor fell silent. It was true — status could be the quietest weapon of all.

“What’s your name? Let’s add each other on Messenger! I feel like we could totally hit it off,” Clara suddenly proposed.

Perfect! Just what Eleanor was hoping for. “I’m Eleanor Fairford, but you can stick to Fairford,” she said, pulling out her phone to open Messenger.

“Fairford, that’s a pretty name! I bet your husband calls you that too,” Clara laughed. “I’m Eliza Rivers, by the way. Just call me Eliza.”

They exchanged contact info, and Eleanor felt an unexpected flutter of excitement.

“When my husband first met me, he used to call me Fairford too. But these days? I’m just Eleanor Fairford to him, no more ‘Wife.’ It’s kind of a downer,” she sighed.

Eleanor glanced at Eliza’s Messenger name, curiously taking in the cool handle, “Greenstone.”

“Oh, that’s not my phone. It’s my husband’s,” Eliza clarified. “Don’t mind it; it’s just a name. I’ll let him know later.”

For an innocent comment, it hauled a heavy weight. Here's this woman, casually using her husband's Messenger to connect with someone she barely knew. And here was Eleanor, who didn’t even know Robert's phone passcode. She'd never even peeked at his texts. Not that she had any desire to invade his privacy, but that sort of boundary just felt so… foreign. She didn’t want to beg for connection; it was undignified.

The line moved, and soon the security guard opened the gates to the nursery.

Eliza’s smile lit up the air. “It’s all good; it’s just a nickname. My husband still calls me Eliza Eliza, even after all these years together. We met back in pre-K, and it’s stuck.”

That revelation jolted Eleanor. Wow, so this unassuming woman had snagged herself a university professor. It didn’t hit her till now — they must’ve been childhood sweethearts. That made sense.

“Eliza, I live at Peninsula Gardens. You should come over and hang out sometime,” Eleanor suggested enthusiastically.

“Maybe this weekend,” Eliza replied, a hint of reluctance in her tone. “I’m back to work now, so I’m busy during the day.”

As they reached the front of the line, a woman behind them tapped her foot impatiently. Before Eleanor could swipe her card, the woman surged forward without a word, pushing her way ahead like she owned the place.

Annoyed, Eleanor turned to the security guard, “Aren’t you going to say something?”

The guard appraised her. “It’s not going to make a difference, is it?”

Eliza leaned in, giving the whispered heads-up, “That’s Sister Agatha Ashford from Greenwich University, the vice dean of the business school. She’s a big deal.”

Confused, Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Sister Agatha? I thought she was child-free. Why's she at a nursery?”

Eliza shrugged. “No clue. You’d have to ask her.”

Eleanor climbed the three flights of stairs. Just as she rounded the corner to her son’s classroom, she caught sight of Sister Agatha escorting a girl named Emily Young out. The woman carried herself with an air of both seriousness and superiority. Eleanor straightened up, walking past with a confidence that bordered on defiance.

After collecting her son Thomas Blackwell, Eleanor couldn’t help but ask, “Is there a new kid in your class?”

Thomas bounded down the hallway, his thoughts a jumble of excitement. “Yep! A girl named Lily Greenwood. Oh, and a guy named He Ping, plus a couple of others I can’t remember.”

Eleanor quickened her step, eager to get out of there. Thankfully, Sister Agatha hadn’t vanished far; she was still guiding Emily Young, heading slowly towards the exit.

Pointing subtly, Eleanor quizzed Thomas, “Is that one of your new classmates?”

In the hustle and bustle of the nursery, Thomas couldn’t quite keep up with his mom’s finger.

“Forget it,” Eleanor sighed. “Let’s just go home.”

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