Joe returned to the cafe, rejoining his friends with a sense of relief. He could sense their curiosity about his conversation with Shea's friend, but they chose to respect his emotions and didn't press him with questions.
The silence that had enveloped the table upon Joe's return quickly dissipated. Conversations flowed once again, but this time, the focus shifted to Duncan's exciting news about his admission to the Universidad de Barcelona. The collective joy at the table was palpable.
"So, when's your departure date?" Ebri asked while stretching to grab a tissue box, slightly out of his reach.
Duncan replied, "I'm still figuring that out. There's a visa to apply for, housing to secure, and a lot of preparation. It won't be a quick process, I reckon."
Josh inquired, "And your job? What about that?"
Duncan shook his head thoughtfully, "I might have to resign."
Joe interjected quickly, "Come on, Duncan."
