Chapter 21

Inside the pottery studio, everything had calmed down. Jennifer mechanically worked the clay in her hands, and her knuckles were pale from the pressure. Clara sat quietly beside her, glancing over every now and then with visible worry. "Ms. Jennifer…" Clara finally couldn't hold back. Her eyes were filled with concern as she asked, "You're really sad, aren't you? You don't look happy at all." Jennifer paused for a moment before forcing out a smile. "No, Clara, don't worry about me. Just keep working on your little bowl." Kevin quietly handed her a cup of warm water, setting it gently beside her. "Want to take a break?" Jennifer shook her head, looking at the half-formed clay bowl in front of her. Its lopsided shape mirrored how her emotions were at that moment. The image of Yvonne's and Yannick's tear-streaked faces kept flashing through her mind. It weighed heavily on her. "They look thinner," she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. Kevin didn't reply. He simply s