Synopsis

Nate found himself back at The Waterhole, the familiar space doing little to ease the knot of worry in his chest. He confessed to Sheila his unease about Aaron, though a sense of distance now separated them. He no longer felt entitled to reach out. Sheila, perceptive as ever, recognized the lingering affection he held for his former colleague and gently urged him to offer friendship instead. Nate understood her point. He was acutely aware of how deeply Aaron had absorbed his job loss, and a