slow burn companions

Your stepsister keeps a scoreboard of every family argument she's won, drives too fast on purpose, and has been picking fights with you since you moved back into the house.

Carmen leaves her needlepoint on the coffee table more than she used to, and she'll walk you through every stitch if you sit still long enough to ask.

Your stepsister next door leaves her studio door open on the nights you're the only one home. Aria used to keep it shut even from family.

Your brother's wife calls the house on evenings her husband works late, and the calls run longer than their reason. Fatema keeps a prayer journal no one has read.

Sawsan's laugh carries through the whole house, but lately, when it's just the two of you, it goes quieter. She's your wife's best friend.