And talking leads to... (Johnny)
After her mom had gone on her way, Mary headed down to the basement apartment. Johnny had seemed happy enough to take his leave early and avoid whatever Jo might have to say about the lie they’d been living. She wasn’t sure if she was hoping that Johnny would be awake or already sleeping.
Things had been a little uncomfortable since the night out that wasn’t supposed to be a date. He’d been quiet and a little bit sullen. She remembered enough to realize that she’d stepped over a line somewhere, so she was trying to give him a wide berth lately. Encouraging him to leave early some nights was one way. Going straight to bed when she got in after work and taking daily trips to the store instead of spreading out the grocery shopping so it was more of a weekly thing were other ways that she was giving him as much space as that tiny apartment could allow.
Which was why she half-expected Johnny to be feigning sleep or something along those lines when she got back after work. She put the key in the lock and did her best to quietly open the door, just in case feigning had turned to actual sleep.