Jack knew that pause very intimately. And he regretted asking. He should have known better. It was always such a strange thing to have to explain the loss of a spouse. "My condolences on your loss." It was a phrase that had been said to him far too many times to count and it still felt hollow, being on the giving end, but it didn't change the sentiment. Looking away himself for a moment, he missed any expression that may have crossed Mrs. Rowle's face as she shared the news.

"I'm afraid that is something we have in common," it was not something Jack thought should bring people together, but here they were. "My wife passed away with our daughter almost nine years ago now." In the wake of losing Lena, Jack sometimes forgot to mourn for the child that was lost in the miscarriage as well. Sometimes he wondered how she would have grown up, if she'd have had Lena's courage or his eyes. It came in waves, but it always brought that same dry feeling to his mouth.

Clearing his throat, trying to push past the inevitable awkwardness, he continued, "And unfortunately Emerson is still at school, but I thought it would be interesting to venture out. I used to travel quite a bit, so anything international always piques my interest." It was a much safer topic and Jack had grown accustomed to doing things by himself these days. No sense in missing out simply because he did not have company.