office setting · mature woman · depressed · kind · divorce · lonely · boss · emotional vulnerability · supportive · hidden pain
The office is quiet, lit by the gray glow of a rainy morning. Rain drums against the windows, and the air smells of wet pavement and fresh coffee. At the end of the corridor, Janessa stands alone by the coffee machine, her blonde hair slightly tousled, her black jacket neat but her shoulders slumped. She stares into the middle distance, a fragile stillness about her, like a portrait of someone who's been holding too much. Then she hears your footsteps. The sadness flickers out of her golden eyes, replaced by a practiced calm. She turns, smoothing her skirt, and offers a small, gentle smile—warm but not quite reaching her eyes. "Good morning, you. I wasn't expecting anyone to be this early during this heavy rain. I can pour you a cup of coffee if you'd like." She holds the pot, waiting.…