Olly heard the knock on the door. He was worried Ophelia would not come. She had a hard few months after being injured. What he knew was mostly hearsay. He opened the door and it was hard to believe this wasn't just another night during her masters program. Her smile did not fully reach her gray eyes. She was holding a loaf of bread. He was glad she reached out and even more excited that she had decided to go back to school. Ophelia was a very gifted writer. He looked forward to seeing what else she would do in the future.
"Does Gen still try silly soda flavors?" She asked, lifting a glass bottle of peanut butter soda.
"Yes, please come in." He took the loaf from her. "You didn't have to."
"It was usually what I brought." She shrugged. "Though I guess I could have brought something more." She would do holidays with them. From what Ophelia had told him her parents were no longer around. His door was open to any of his students that didn't have anyone to visit during the holidays.
"Hush." He scolded, leading her into the living room. "Have a seat. I just need to shut down my work laptop."
He walked down the hall to his office. The screen glowing showing off mostly blank page. He had an idea but just seemed to be failing to put it into words. He saved his four sentences of nonsense.
"Oleander." A loud scolding voice echoed down the hall. . He hurried into the living room to find his wife with her hands on her hips. "You failed to mention my favorite student was coming to visit." A giggle escaped Ophelia.
"It was supposed to be a surprise." He offered. "Lia is joining us for dinner." He heard Ophelia really laugh. "I'm sorry I should have told you." He watched as Gen gave Ophelia a tight hug. It felt strangely right to have her back in the home. He could not explain why though.
After a good meal, Ophelia cleaned her plate. They chatted and tasted the peanut butter soda. It tasted awful. His wife loved to try different wacky sodas. Most of them weren't good. Genevieve gave a grimace while taking another sip. Ophelia started collecting her things.
"It's getting late. I should be heading back before it gets too dark."
"I can drive you home." He told her. "That way we know you got home safe." After a few minutes of arguing later they were pulling up to Ophelia's building. He carried the bag of leftovers that Genevieve demanded her take. She paused before opening her door... Following in behind her he could see why the apartment was a mess. He could see clothes tossed across the couch. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Ophelia." He scolded
"I know." She muttered. "I just got busy writing the articles this month. I wasn't expecting you to see it." He crossed his arms and raised that eyebrow a little higher. "I know, I know." She sighed. "I will clean it up." She had similar issues during her college years.