Page 61 of Breaking
"Thank you for this second chance," Max murmured. "Though I don't deserve it."
Jenna just smiled.
After they left, Grace leaned over the fence. "Sad to see them go?"
Jenna nodded.
Grace sighed. "Did you hear? Mrs Humphreys passed away in the hospital. Her family is already looking to sell the house. That's children for you today."
Jenna frowned, sadness settling in her chest. "She was amazing. Dani loved to go and read to her. The neighbourhood won't be the same without her."
Chapter 50
Jenna
Two weeks had passed since Lilly and Max left Jenna's home in Chester, and the house felt oddly hollow despite Dylan and Dani still living there. Jenna tried to settle back into her usual routine-long hours refining her illustrations, short breaks to cook dinner, and the occasional evening chat in the living room. Yet a subtle tension wove through the days, a reminder that the family's circumstances were far from simple. She worked on her illustrations each day, often pausing to rub her eyes and stare out the window, thinking about everything that had changed-about how all the fractured pieces of their family might one day fit back together-even Troy, though the divorce was going to happen.
Lilly called frequently; her voice bright with excitement. She spoke about her work experience, describing creative tasks she was learning before university. Sometimes she emailed Jenna drafts of her own drawings, hoping for tips on composition or colour palettes. Jenna felt a surge of pride each time she saw how much Lilly's skills had grown.
Max checked in via daily texts-amusing quips or intriguing links he came across. On weekends, he called for a longer chat, often punctuating it with a surprising "Love you, Ma," which warmed Jenna's heart and reminded her how far they had come. His texts were similar to their conversations before he hit puberty.
*Hey, so I found this documentary on deep-sea creatures you'd love. Also, did you know sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins? *
*That's... random, but fascinating. *
Dylan, however, seemed more elusive. He juggled homework, after-school activities, and late nights out with friends. One evening, as he walked in looking drained, Jenna tried to connect.
One evening, Jenna decided to cook her special lasagne-an old recipe with a secret combination of cheeses and herbs that could coax almost anyone to the dinner table. Sure enough, Dylan ambled into the kitchen, led by the savoury aroma.
Dylan lifted the lid of a pot curiously "Is this your secret lasagne recipe , Jenna?"
Jenna was stirring the sauce "Figured it was time to dust off my signature dish."
Dylan tiredly ran a hand through his hair. "Smells incredible. Need any help?" he asked.
Jenna looked at him thoughtfully before saying "You could slice the bread for garlic toast if you want-just don't set the oven to five hundred this time."
Dylan said with a mock eye-roll "You are the queen of exaggeration right after Dani. That was one time. I'll be careful."
They worked side by side for a few minutes, comfortable enough in the silence to let it stretch. Jenna stole a glance at Dylan, noting how much more mature he seemed lately.
Jenna asked "How's school going?"
Dylan shrugging "It's alright. A lot of work. But I'm handling it."
Jenna said "I worry about you, you know, not sleeping enough. You come in pretty late sometimes."
Dylan fiddled with the bread knife, not looking up. "I'm just busy, Jenna. Got a lot on my plate, but I'm fine."
His tone hinted at a desire to keep certain parts of his life separate. Jenna pressed her lips together, reminding herself not to push too hard.
Jenna placed the lasagne in the oven and then turned back to Dylan, taking off her mitts "Well, dinner will be ready soon. Just... don't disappear before you get a slice."
Dylan said giving her a small smile "No chance of that!"
Later that evening, while Dylan was in his room, Dani lingered at the kitchen table, staring into a half-finished mug of tea. The faint hum of the refrigerator underscored the silence.
Jenna eased into a chair across from her "You look like you're a million miles away. Everything alright?"
