old college friend of Mark's and a business associate, approached me. He'd always been part of Mar

it into my hands. "Take this, Sarah. I'm so sorry." He whispe

champagne, I stumbled out of the hotel and into the biting New York night. The city lights b

g fire. Each step was an agony. Eventually, my legs gave out. I collap

fade, I heard a familiar voice

arah, is

ildhood best friend from Ohio, the boy who had always looked out

naged, my vo

fted me, his expression a mixture of shock

, his presence a sudden, unexpecte

recent coerced abortion, had caused severe internal injuries. My future fertility was now in seriou

mine. "Sarah," he said, his voice soft but firm.

at happened, he just saw my pain. "I

ey on it, and a set of keys. "This is for a guesthouse I own in Napa Valley. It's seclud

his time, but of a fragile, burgeoning hope.