The Space Between Pines
"He's always been the person everyone comes to. You know that. He picks up, he shows up, he's there. That didn't change. He still did all of that. He just did it with less of himself available, if that makes sense."
Eli said nothing. He was looking at the table.
"It took about a year," Dani said. "And then he was fine. He was himself. But it was a — a quieter version, maybe. Slightly smaller. Like he'd edited something out."
"Dani."
"I know. I'm telling you anyway." She paused. "He dated someone four years ago. From Bend. Theo. He was nice, Eli, he was genuinely nice, and Noah tried. He really tried. And it didn't work and I asked him why and he said I feel like I'm apologizing for something