I don’t want to do this.
Ben is right beside me, and he moves his hand to my back again. He doesn’t appear aware of the gesture, but it’s implicitly supportive. Comforting.
Looking down the hall toward an open bedroom door, I take a deep breath. Summon my will.
“You want me to go in with you?” he asks, leaning down to murmur into my ear.
I shake my head. “No. I’ll be okay.”
“Then I’m gonna walk the perimeter. This is obviously real. It’s not a setup. But I wanna make sure no one approaches.”
“That’s a good idea. Thank you.” I’m not sure why, but my hand lifts and my fingertips brush lightly against his stubbly beard.
I drop my hand quickly, and Ben heads back outside.
Teresa is across the room, but she’s been watching. When Ben leaves, she comes over and asks softly, “So you’re together now?”
“We’ve been together for years.” I’m not being defensive. For a moment, I genuinely don’t understand her question.
“I mean… together. A couple.”
“Oh. Sorry. No, we’re not a couple. I mean…”
I have no clue what I mean.
Teresa’s eyes are sympathetic. Incredibly kind. She’s always had a soft heart and deep empathy. More than me. More than anyone I’ve ever met. “But something has changed?”
I swallow. “Yes. Something has changed. I don’t know what yet.”
“Okay. Now’s not the best time to work it all out.”
“No. I guess it’s not. How… how are things with you?”
“We’re good. Really good. Happy.”
Despite the exhausted weight on her face, I believe her. Her life is good. Her life is what she always wanted it to be.
“Anything new with Lorraine or Aria?” My mouth quivers in slightly bitter humor. Lorraine was our stepmother, and Aria our stepsister. They made both of our lives miserable, but I left home sooner than Teresa did.
“Oh.” A glint awakens in her blue eyes. “Big news. Aria got married. To Franklin, the administrator’s clerk.”
My eyes widen. “But isn’t he?—”
“Old. And pompous. And fond of giving lectures. But the two of them couldn’t keep up their market stall once I stopped doing all the scavenging for them, so Aria needed to accept a proposal. I guess his was their best choice. Lorraine couldn’t keep up her house on her own, so she moved in with them.
“Oh. Oh my.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t like to be a petty person, but if anyone deserves that unpleasant situation…”
“It’s definitely them.”
We share a brief smile, connected by understanding and amusement and a lifetime together.
But then reality returns like a smothering blanket.
“You ready to go see her?” Teresa asks softly.
