Shirley
As quiet as a mouse, I step out of the room, my eyes scanning the entryway as if expecting to find shattered glass and c*****e. However, everything is still perfectly in its place and my eyes are left landing on the only movement I can spot in the hallway.
Jean is standing there, hugging herself as she looks toward the door. I don’t say anything as the seconds tick by, giving her space to gather her thoughts as I prepare myself for whatever reaction she’ll have once the adrenaline wears off.
It takes a good five minutes and my feet are sore as my heels press into the ground, but finally - Jean blinks. Then she repeats the action, but her eyelids become more rapid, fluttering quickly before tears begin to fall. The moment she looks over at me, she releases a sob.
“Shirley,” she
