“Would you stop, baby?” Daniel asked, watching his wife gather up a pile of books from the coffee table.
Jane shook her head, stuffing the books on one of the several bookshelves lining the living room. Pausing a moment, she adjusted the placement of the books so that the spines all lined up, presenting a unified front to the open studio apartment. “I’m nearly done. I just want…” She pushed a lock of brown hair back from her brow. “I want to make a good impression. I’ve never met any of them.”
Daniel crossed the room, kissing her on the cheek. “Believe me, you’ll make a good impression. This place will make a good impression. Jared’s apartment was a bit of a hole last time I saw it.”
“That’s not the point,” she replied. “He’s been through a lot. I want him to feel at home.”
“That’s going to be a problem.” Jane tossed him a frown, and Daniel shrugged. “I mean, I’m just trying to be honest. It’s not his home. It’s going to take a long, long time before any place can be home.”