EN'

ast spoke, four days

ntouched stack of reports. My thoughts

chair, eyes fixed on the c

e was deafening. I tried to lose my

have gotten married to Charlotte. I miss her laugh, her scent linger

me out of my imaginary world.

ed up.

placing them on my desk. "I have rescheduled all yo

eave tomorrow. Actually... move the f

Going home early? I

, everything'

"Do you want to

, Sheila." Sheila is my assistant and my best frien

anything to do

I shouldn't have, I let my an

n't dese

ked so beautiful that night, and instead of holding

you see it, but since you got married, you have become...

out of me. I don't even know what it i

and fix it," s

I couldn't go home an

ce. I don't want to see anybody,

tood up

transparent glass in my office

ain shei... Mo

gance and grace, wrapped i

d. "What

out waiting. "Cha

ightened.

den. She said she coul

trying to stea

" Eleanor said "And I don't

hings, Mom,

oat any part of what she explained to me.

t know

den Kingston, don't know how to

Charlotte. And I pushed her away. I was angry

. "You foolish, foolis

've never felt this way about anyone for a long time. Whe

her. Don't let your fear ruin so

am about her, you know. I stil

Charlotte. Now, go home and fix

there for a moment longe

"Good, because sulki

e mansion was quiet--too quiet. I too

ryl's voice from the corner. "She should l

uitcase," Elsie added. "She

turned the corner. "

both

ir

s lea

eluctantly. "Sh

I ran, two st

ajar, and I p

ding a sweater into her bag. He

artled. "What are

go." I

n't I? So you can call

ecure and so incredibly jealous of Dylan, bu

me I was nothing. You brought another woman to our home. You

d seeing you smile at someone else because I

ve always hated my guts." she laughed and turned away, w

o whatever it takes,

immediately. "Yo

ser. "But if you give up on us now, we'

to let me

ill

d for a moment, the pain b

said, her voice so fragile. "But I don't

her hands. "Then let me fix this, let me

this and expect everythi

ow I'm sorry. That I want to ma

yes, tears formi

time you need. Just...

with words. Inste

rying her face in my nec

ut it was a fragile beginning, and