Raphael was quiet for a minute but then finally spoke. “There is no shame in taking time to heal, Emma. Nor is there an allotted time for how long it takes. Everyone heals in their own time.”
They sat in the closet quietly for a long time. Emma had her notebook in her lap and was jotting down thoughts that kept popping into her head. Raphael was silent, as he often was, just a calming presence. Later she would look back and realize that this moment had been the calm before the storm.
“I should go check on Serenity,” Raphael said quietly as Emma sat in the floor of her closet. “Dair was not himself when he was here last, and Serenity is not getting better. I will be back quickly. It’s quiet right now. Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine, Raph. Serenity needs help. Go help her. Reginald isn’
