When the child whined louder, she let out a long, audible sigh, the kind that wasn’t meant to be subtle. The sound cut through Jacob like a knife. He could feel her eyes on him, could practically hear her unspoken thoughts: “Hurry up. Get it together.”
Behind her, an older man stood stiffly, his arms crossed over his chest. His neatly pressed shirt and polished shoes suggested a life far removed from the one Jacob was living. He glanced at his watch, the gesture exaggerated enough to make sure Jacob saw it.