Chapter 116

Daily

I noticed it in the mall things first

The way he paused sometimes in the middle of sentences like he had lost the theard of something. The way for his temple when he thought I wasn’t looking. The way he smiled just a half secol too qoy was okay, like the smile was something he kept ready and warting specifically for that question

I knew that smile I had worn it myself for three years.

Something was wrong

I tried to ask him directly twice. Both times he looked at me with that warm, steady expression and said he was changed the subject so smoothly that I almost believed him. Almost. But I knew Norman knew the differer fine and performing fine, and what I was watching every day was a performance.

The knowing sat in my chest like something cold