woman with tired e

eling, dear?" s

lat, devoid of the tears that

nd... he called. Said he was cau

escaped me. Caught up.

g," I said. It w

d uncomfortable

I pushed myself to sit up fully. Th

time, waiting, hoping, my heart shredding

ere was only

othes feeling alien. My body fe

account. My escape fund, started years ago

icket far away from here. Austin, maybe. A place wi

rs later, just as I was si

really. His eyes scanned th

voice impatient. "Jessica' s been ha

had just lo

creamed at him, a torr

ked at him. At the selfishness etched into

o go," I said

sterics. "Good. I' ve got to get ba

out of the clinic, not

in my own life, but

k immediately went to the phone, pr

oom and pulled out

acking a few

g?" he asked, susp

, not looking up fr

' t be dramatic, Sarah. You' re just e

n say the word.

k. I' m j

, trying for that wheedling charm

inking... that 'Employee of the Year' award at the pl

d. Here

he was discussing the weather. "And that transfer to the city branch th

u don' t need it as much as she does. Maybe you could.

his face. The mask of concern was slipping,

b, a new start, for Jessica. The woman he was probably sle

argued, maybe even would have considered

lt nothing but a

" I

d. "No? What do

. I' m not giving it to Jessica. I' m

ened. "You u

ag. "I know exactly what you are, Mark.

y speechless, as if he coul

r. I heard him on the phone again, his voice low

I had my