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Another story snippet:

They were devoted. But to what exactly, no one could say. Living separate lives, but professing to be committed, or soul mates, or the warmth of the sun in each other’s worlds is all good. It’s fine. It’s more than most people have. It’s lame. There are no teeth in it, no chutzpah, no nothing but empty promises, wait, no promises either.

Hiding in plain sight was their forte. “Hey, you two want to join us? We’re all heading out to eat after the service at Bess’s Café.”

Though they’d been standing together and clearly had arrived together, there was a sudden subtle shift apart. Just a slight turn of a shoulder, his, and a hip, hers. Dan spoke first, “Uh, no, I, um, I’m not going to the service, and I have to get home. I told Ben I’d help him with his sink.”

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“I’m in for sure,” Shelly chimed in. Linking her arm through Jesse’s, the two women walked down the block toward their church without turning back.

“Really, Dan?” Ginny stared at him, “You two are pathetic.” Not waiting for an answer, which wouldn’t come anyway, she followed the rest of the crowd toward the open doors under the bell tower.

Confused, Dan watched them go, wishing he could just make this happen. Then, he shoved the thought back inside and out of sight and walked home alone.