They sat at a two person table, face to face. She had her hands atop each other with an orange seltzer to her left. She wasn't eating heavy so it was a simple tuna salad sandwich for her. She was enjoying some easy time with Erik. It was really the first time no one was around them. No kids and no co-workers. She felt relaxed and her smile showed it. It was an easy, natural smile that occasionally went to a soft face of compassion, concern or caring, depending on the subject.
For the moment, she spoke little of work. When away from it, she tried not to speak of it. They spoke of the kids and got some laughs out of it and a few head shakes as well. One thing she didn't speak a lot about though was her family. She missed them. She loved them but the exile was a bitter pill. She did her best to put on a good face about it. Besides, Benjen WAS her family and had been for the last nine plus years.
"He loves Peter," she said with a giggle, "Peter is all he talks about when he's not around him." She then gave a kind look to Erik, "He thinks a lot of you too, Erik. He's never said that about anyone before."
After a sip of seltzer, she put her hands atop one another again and looked at Erik, "Listen, I don't have to be at the office tomorrow. If you want, you can bring Peter to my place."
But as they sat across from each other, lost in conversation, she had the chance to look into his eyes. There was something about them. With a look of concerned kindness, she asked him, "Erik, if you wouldn't mind, take off your glasses."
![[Image: htPh9n3.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/htPh9n3.jpg)