We all raise our glasses, and by the time we are done drinking, Sahara is smiling.
After that, we finish eating and start to go our own separate ways. I see Farrah pull Sahara to the side as I grab Rowan.
“Do you know what that is about?” I ask, bringing her into the kitchen.
She starts rinsing the dishes off and putting them into the dishwasher. The quick scrub is so rough, I’m scared she is going to break them.
“That’s about him resenting his wife because she didn’t give him a baby,” Rowan says.
“She said she can’t.” I help her, if only to have something to do with my hands.
“You’re right, and she has had three miscarriages trying to do it.”
I drop a plate and she picks it up, not stopping.
“Rowan, are you serious?”
She throws the sponge into the sink then turns towards me.
“Yes, and he acts like it’s her fault. He fuckingblamesher.” She rubs her hands up and down her face, and then throws her head back.
I can see she is fighting tears.
“Oh hell no. Why is he here?”
“Because she won’t leave him, even when there is a better option.” She slides down to the floor.
I sit next to her, watching her breathe heavily and letting a few tears go.
“You love her, don’t you?”
She just nods, tucking her hair behind her ears.
“Rowan, you have to figure out how to take a step back.”
“I can’t, it’s too late.”
Before I can say anything else, Farrah walks into the kitchen with Sahara. They look at us, and we look at them, seeing that the last twenty minutes were intense for all of us.
“I’m going to unpack,” Rowan says, standing up.
Sahara watches her, taking one step forward, like she is going to go after her, before spinning around and walking out to the backyard.
“Girl,” I say, turning to Farrah.
“I know,” she says, leaning against the counter.
“We have to do something,” I say.
“She asked me not to say anything, but you’re my best friend.” She comes closer and whispers. “Apparently, that dinner’s not a one-off, and she is tired of being embarrassed. She is thinking about leaving him.”
“Thank God,” I say.
“I know. I hope she does it.”
“Rowan loves her.”
“Obviously, and I think Sahara loves her, too.”
