The word wife rang so heavy in the air that Tim would have had to be deaf and dumb not to notice what it did to the guy. Especially with the hands in pockets, looking down at his feet reaction. And the way he said it, with the level of reverence someone reserved for only the most important people in their lives. It would have stunned Tim into silence - he'd never heard anyone in love like that - if not for what he said next.
Before she passed.
Shit.
Tim looked down into his drink like it might have some answers for him. He'd never been married, never even had a serious enough partner to consider them dying. But he had experienced a great deal of personal loss in his life that would be on par with losing a wife. Parents, specifically.
"I'm so sorry," he said, and it was clear he meant it as he reached out and put a hand on the other man's shoulder. He hoped that wasn't unwelcome, but he couldn't just stand there and let someone suffer without wanting to protect or console them. "She must have been an amazing person to have created something like this place. It's stunning, really." He gave the other man's shoulder a squeeze, gently, and then pulled his hand off, not wanting to be too forward or overbearing. And instead of just using it to hold his glass of whiskey, he offered it to the other man. "I'm Tim. I'm sorry I didn't realize this was your store. It's seriously one of the last refuges for bibliophiles who care about reading in paper. Kindles are fine, but I prefer holding the tangible pages in my hand, you know? You and your wife - you must have felt the same."
no subject
Before she passed.
Shit.
Tim looked down into his drink like it might have some answers for him. He'd never been married, never even had a serious enough partner to consider them dying. But he had experienced a great deal of personal loss in his life that would be on par with losing a wife. Parents, specifically.
"I'm so sorry," he said, and it was clear he meant it as he reached out and put a hand on the other man's shoulder. He hoped that wasn't unwelcome, but he couldn't just stand there and let someone suffer without wanting to protect or console them. "She must have been an amazing person to have created something like this place. It's stunning, really." He gave the other man's shoulder a squeeze, gently, and then pulled his hand off, not wanting to be too forward or overbearing. And instead of just using it to hold his glass of whiskey, he offered it to the other man. "I'm Tim. I'm sorry I didn't realize this was your store. It's seriously one of the last refuges for bibliophiles who care about reading in paper. Kindles are fine, but I prefer holding the tangible pages in my hand, you know? You and your wife - you must have felt the same."