Faster Than Expected

Celia looked up at the commander who she had clearly caught off guard. 

His eyes stared at her and his body was tense. 

"You're supposed to return the hug when someone hugs you," she muttered. 

He gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders as her arms embraced his sides and back. Her body was thin from a lifetime of poverty. He felt like he could break her in half at any moment. 

They pulled away from one another and she tried to smile but suddenly tears fell down her face and she frowned as if she was confused about her own feelings as well. She touched her face and brushed the tears away. 

"Celia…" he said, completely at a loss for words. 

He wasn't someone anyone came to when they were in need of comfort. 

"Take care of my boy," she said. "Take care of yourself. You look so healthy now. I'm so happy to see that."

She said that despite living off of a meal a day most of the time.