Addie read only a few. All were friendly, cooperative, affectionate.
“That’s the man who said he hasn’t really loved me in a long time,” Justine said. “I never saw it coming. I might as well have been hit by a train. Can you see why I’m afraid to feel much? Afraid to let myself cry? I’ve never in my life been lied to so thoroughly. So successfully.”
Addie handed back the phone. “I get it,” she said. “We’re going to get through this, together.”
* * *
Adele found the dichotomy of Justine’s strength plus her vulnerability completely disarming. Her sister, the epitome of power and grace, had been reduced to an extremely thin woman consumed by pain. It felt, at the moment, they had only each other, yet they really didn’t know each other at all. They’d been raised in the same house in different eras. The recent turn of events demonstrated they weren’t really familiar with each other’s private lives at all. Their relationship was like that of neighbors who were civil and polite while barely scratching the surface.
Adele was a little late getting back to the office. Nothing was said about the time. Ross actually smiled as Adele entered the office. The woman’s resting expression was usually anything but cheerful. Ross asked her if she had a nice lunch, then went back to her office. For the duration of the afternoon, Adele was a little distracted.
At five o’clock, when Adele was locking the desk drawers and turning off her computer, Ross stuck her head out of the door that led to the offices and meeting rooms.
“Adele, can you come to my office for a minute?”
It was more request than question. She left her purse and followed her.
Ross sat behind her desk. “I’m sorry I overstayed my lunch,” Adele said preemptively. “I promise I won’t let it happen again. It was kind of a special circumstance. I—”
“No problem, Adele. You’ve barely taken a lunch since you started. But I saw your sister, briefly, and you’ve been a little off since you got back. Is everything all right?”
Adele was temporarily struck silent.
“You’ve been very quiet. I can usually hear your chatter with the clients...”
“I’m sorry! I can keep it down! I think I just feel so compelled to reach out to each one of them and—”
“Adele! Stop! I’m not complaining or scolding you! I want to know if you’re all right!”
She was confused. “Me?”
Ross sighed heavily and folded her hands atop her desk. “You told me your sister was going through a hard time. The divorce. I saw her. She looked very thin and had dark circles under her eyes. You took an extra long lunch break, which is not like you at all. And you’ve been very quiet all afternoon. I’m not upset with you. I want to know if you’re all right.”
It wasn’t the first time Adele had been asked if she was all right. Many people did after her mother passed. When she started losing weight, it was noticed and again, a few people asked after her health and well-being. But that Ross, who she’d known for such a short time, would ask, left her feeling humbled. Ross, who had to listen to the troubles of displaced women all day! Shouldn’t she be low on energy and not have any to spare for her now?
Adele felt a tear run down her cheek. “No. I’m not really okay. My sister is having such a hard time and I’m useless!”
Ross frowned. “Now, of course you’re not useless. Tell me what’s going on, then I’ll help you work up a plan.”
“Well, she’s lost weight. I always envied her figure, till now. Her husband of almost thirty years cheated, they’re getting divorced, she’s shattered and she won’t let herself feel it. She said she’s afraid she’ll crack. My nieces are sixteen and seventeen, different as day and night, and they’re having a hard time too. Justine is depressed, not eating, refusing to let herself cry, worried