Dawn and Mari sat down in the Den. Neither of them said a word to the other.
After the embrace earlier Dawn had led Mari to the Den and had offered to get her cookies or a drink but Mari had politely declined.
Now they sat there in silence.
Dawn stared ahead. Her eyes fixed on nothing.
Mari glanced at her from time to time, unsure what to say. Usually she would have tried to say something funny or smart but she couldn't.
Just like Emily had told her. She did her best to just be there with Dawn and not pick up her phone or do anything else.
The clock on the wall ticked softly.
After what seemed like the longest silence of Mari's life, Dawn finally looked at Mari.
"Have you ever lost someone dear to you?" Dawn asked quietly.
