The Next Right Move

They’re both wearing wedding rings again – real ones this time – and it is that more than anything that convinces her. Five years have passed without her. “Natasha?” She asks, quietly, once she’s finally able to speak again, once the tears have left her parents’ eyes.“Survived.” Melina tells her. “She should be back soon.”She nods, feels the warmth of them at her sides, and sinks down into the couch. Part of her wants to make a joke about how they haven’t changed anything in the house in five years, but everything feels raw, too raw to joke about, both of them keep pressing hands to her shoulders, her cheeks, her sides, as if to convince themselves that she is real.