“How do you two handle conflict?” his mother asked, as if discussing tea strength. “We have routines,” Aaron replied. The woman brightened. “Routines rescue love.” The sentence clicked gently into place like a latch. Evelyn felt it close around her existence.
The garden tour revealed roses trained into arches and hedges in flawless symmetry. “Even nature can be improved with guidance,” his mother said, trimming a leaf by two breaths. Aaron watched proudly. Evelyn pictured a wildflower sneaking in, then standing very still until its color was permitted and its edges trimmed into rose bush-like submission.