ready；〃 she answered honestly。 〃But my family and Jeff's will be ing
to get me first thing in the morning。 I think they're not sure that I'll
show up on my own。〃
〃They'll all be there？〃
〃Most of them。 I'll have plenty of emotional support。〃
〃I'm glad。〃
A silence fell。 To lighten it； she asked； 〃How's Rachel？〃
〃Fine。 Thanks for asking。 A few scabs still left； but she's back at
school。〃 Again a pause； even heavier this time。 〃Anne？〃
〃Yes？〃
〃I love you very much。〃 His voice was melancholy。 Anne wanted to believe
that he was as bothered by the separation as she was。
〃I love you； too。 When will I see you？〃
〃Soon； honey； soon。 I'll talk with you again soon。 Just remember that I
love you。〃
Tears filled her eyes。 Something felt wrong。 But he said he loved her。
She had to hold on to that。
The next day was warm by April standards； but Anne woke up feeling
chilled。 At nine o'clock sharp； Jeff's father rang her bell。
She kissed him； feeling the same fondness she always had； and reached
for her coat and purse。 〃Are the others downstairs？〃 She was eager to be
gone。 The sooner the day was done； the better。 She had been unable to
touch any breakfast； and her stomach continued to knot。
〃Actually； no。 There's been a slight change。 Our lawyer got the call
this morning。〃
〃What kind of change？〃
He took her arm and d