When Claire finally gets home after her first day of school, it’s all she can do not to collapse in exhausted frustration onto the couch. She at least takes the time to kick off her shoes and throw her backpack down before face planting into the cushions.
She’s only starting a few weeks after everyone else has, but she still feels awkward and out of place among the students. She doesn’t really want to think that it has more to do with everything that she’s been through in the last few years than it does with being the new girl in a new town. The idea is there, nibbling away at the back of her mind, but she refuses to think on it.
With a groan she rolls over and stares up at the ceiling. It’s so weird staying in one place. It’s weird going back to school. It’s weird in general.
“Daddy… school’s started…” maybe it’s weird that she’s talking to the ceiling, pretending that Jimmy can hear her, but then again, maybe it’s just the part where he’s off somewhere being the vessel of God that’s weird. “It’s not a catholic school, not like the one in Pontiac, but it’s still school and I guess that’s a good thing. I dunno. It’s weird.”
She’s been saying that word a lot, lately. But everything about this situation is unusual in it’s normality.
She heaves a sigh, closing her eyes. “I miss you Daddy.”