"MY GOD! CLARENCE! You damn near gave me a scare!" Slim fingers perch on her chest as Casselba regards her unexpected visitor. All that meets her stunned gaze are level emerald eyes.
Clarence inches closer on the sofa. "Sorry about that. But it's been a while, and I wanted to see you."
Her eyes lower and her voice tones down a pitch.
"Ever since the day you told me about who you are, it seems you've been ghosting me even more. It's like you're trying to push me away."
Casselba chokes on her tea. A slight burn makes its way down her throat and she quickly lowers the mug to the porcelain saucer balanced in her palm.
"I'm not trying to push you away," Casselba says to her.
"God no!" she enunciates. "It's just. . .considering the whole info-dump on you, I guess what I meant was to give you time to decide if you wanted to—you know."
Casselba can't bring herself to say the words and she stutters out.
