Chapter 302: Help
"Are you two playing pass the parcel or something?" Adir asked dryly, watching Melanie move about distractedly in the kitchen, lost in thought, her movements all automatic.
Adam, who had also been staring at her, blinked and turned to Adir, pulled from his own daze and let out a tired sigh. "What do you mean?"
Adir rolled his eyes, the way only a child who thought adults were being deliberately slow could. "Yesterday, you were wandering around like you were lost in a fog. Now she’s the one doing it."
Adam gave a soft, humourless chuckle, surprised once again by the boy’s perception. He ran a hand over his face and sighed again, "Yeah... probably. Looks like we are. But don’t worry-she’ll snap out of it soon. Just needs a little time. Okay?"
Adir gave a small shrug and nodded. "Hmm. I’m not worried. Dad always said sometimes adults get confused and have to think deep. He used to do that a lot too."
Adam paused at that, then nodded slowly, giving Adir a thoughtful look. "He was right," he murmured, more to himself than to the boy. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Melanie had gone still, frozen in the middle of rinsing a mug. He could already guess what was going through her mind.
So, he turned to Adir and nudged him lightly. "Come on then, kiddo. Go get changed. We’ll leave in twenty minutes."
Adir gave one last glance towards the kitchen, then trotted off, calling over his shoulder, "Don’t forget the snacks this time!"
Adam gave a small nod in response and watched him disappear around the corner. When he turned back, Melanie was no longer at the sink. She stood a few feet away, staring at Adir’s retreating back.