Tuesday
Maria’s morning message is still sitting there, unanswered.
It’s Tuesday. Maria’s answer doesn’t come. Probably nothing. That’s the thing about probably.
Emily knows on Tuesday morning — not on Tuesday night.
The same kitchen, but the light is flat and the coffee cup is gone from the counter. Maria’s phone shows the morning message with an empty space below it where a reply would be. At the edge of the frame, later in the morning, a short note reaches Emily saying Maria hasn’t responded to her check-in.