Chapter 4
Julia opened the fridge and started making dinner.
While she was halfway through making dinner, Denise came downstairs.
"Julia, you're cooking? That smells amazing," Denise said.
She stood at the kitchen doorway, holding a tablet and watching a video. "Castiel said he'll be back late from dinner tonight, so you don't need to save him any food."
Julia froze, the kitchen knife still in her hand.
No matter how late Castiel got home, she'd always keep a meal warm for him. She'd done this for three years.
"Got it," Julia replied.
Denise didn't leave. She leaned against the doorframe and smiled, "Julia, Castiel's never liked people hovering over him. He probably doesn't notice or care about all those sticky notes and meals you leave for him every day."
As she spoke, her eyes crinkled with amusement. "I've known him for twenty years. Trust me, I get him."
Julia didn't look up, kept chopping as she replied, "Okay."
Denise gave her a couple of looks, then turned and went upstairs.
Her footsteps faded around the corner.
Julia finished chopping, scraped the veggies into the pan, and turned on the stove.
The smoke stung her eyes, and she rubbed them with the back of her hand.
Her hand came away dry.
She didn't cry. Three years had passed, and she barely knew how to cry anymore.
That night, Julia ate dinner alone, washed the dishes, and went back to the guest room.
She tossed her bag onto the nightstand.
The zipper wasn't fully closed, and the corner of the folded medical report was sticking out.
She pushed it back inside. Then she heard footsteps approaching.
Someone pushed open the door to her guest room.
Denise stood in the doorway, holding a pill bottle.
It was the painkillers Julia had left in the bathroom cabinet.
"Julia, these are yours, right?" Denise held up the bottle and tilted her head. "I found them in the bathroom. Are you okay?"
Her voice was gentle and caring, perfectly polite. But her fingers were clutching the bottle so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
Julia looked at the bottle.
She'd hidden it on the top shelf of the bathroom cabinet, where you wouldn't notice it unless you stood on tiptoe.
Denise had to rummage through the cabinet to get it.
"It's some meds for my stomach. I've had this for ages," Julia said, reaching out her hand. "Thanks for bringing it over."
Denise smiled and handed her the bottle, her fingers lingering against Julia's palm for a second. "Your hands are really cold."
Then she turned and walked away.
After the door closed, Julia suddenly heard Denise talking on the phone in the hallway. Her voice was soft, but the guest room's walls were thin enough for Julia to hear her.
"Castiel, I noticed Julia's been taking some pills. I checked, and it's not regular stomach medicine," Denise said.
There was a pause.
"No, no, I'm not trying to tattle. I'm worried about her. What if she's really sick?" she continued.
Another pause.
"Okay, fine. If you say to leave it alone, I'll leave it alone." Then she hung up.
And like that, the hallway fell silent.
Julia sat on the edge of the bed, gripping the bottle of painkillers tightly in her hand.
The cap had been loosened by Denise, and the pills clattered around inside.
The next afternoon, Castiel was actually home. It was a rare thing.
He was sitting on the sofa in the living room, with Denise snuggled up next to him, her head almost leaning on his shoulder.
Two cups of coffee were sitting on the coffee table.
Back then, Julia would always brew a pot of Castiel's favorite coffee and bring it over. Now, she didn't have to do it anymore.
Julia came downstairs, getting ready to head out and pick up her follow-up report.
As she reached the door, Castiel called out to her, "Wait a second."
She stopped in her tracks.
Castiel lounged on the sofa, one arm tossed over the armrest, checking her out with a casual, scrutinizing look. "Denise said you've been taking medicine recently."
Julia stood in the entryway, hands hanging at her sides. "My stomach's been acting up."
"Oh." Castiel looked away and took a sip of his coffee. "Denise said the name of your medicine seems off, not regular stomach pills. You're not deliberately doing all this to get noticed, are you?"
Julia couldn't believe her ears. She stood there, her fingers slowly tightening around the strap of her bag.
She'd been married to him for three years and had never tried to make him notice her.
When he couldn't stand her and told her to talk less, she kept her mouth shut.
When he thought she was in the way and asked her to stay out of his study, she steered clear.
He never cared what she ate, what she wore, or where she went.
And now, because she took a few pills, he accused her of making him notice her.
"No," she said.
"Then don't let Denise fuss over you. She just got back, and I don't want her to be upset," Castiel said.
Julia stood there for a couple of seconds and nodded before saying, "Okay."
Then she opened the door and walked out.
She heard Denise call out from behind, "Castiel, don't be so mean to Julia."
Castiel didn't say a word.
The door closed behind Julia.