He lifted his fist to the door, hovering just inches above it as he hesitated to knock.
Axel took a deep breath and quickly tapped on the door. He swallowed nervously as he waited for an answer. Then, after a few silent moments, he raised his hand and knocked several times, a little harder this time.
But there was still no answer.
He wondered if he should leave. If she was out or at an appointment. He hadn’t called or let her know he was coming. So she had no reason to expect him.
Taking another breath, he knocked one last time. Finally, when enough time had passed, he sighed. Then, just as he was about to turn and walk away defeated, he got one last idea.
He reached out and touched the handle. Would she be angry at him for walking in? Would she feel like he wasn’t respecting her wish for space?
“If it’s locked, I’ll leave,” he whispered. “If it’s unlocked… I should go in just to make sure everything is safe inside.”