Introduction
“Where’s your aunt?”
“CWA meeting. I forgot. She left a reminder.” She glanced at the note.
He read it and looked up. “This made you cry?”
“I…” She blinked back tears and rubbed her temples. I should tell him. But how do I explain…? She pointed at the envelope on top of the fridge. “That letter’s from dad’s firm. The name” – she gulped – “grabbed me. Like everything happened all over again.” Carol’s eyes brimmed and she sucked deep breaths. “Uncle Gordon trying not to cry when…when he told me Mum and Dad were dead.”
“Carol, I’m sorry.” He touched her back hesitantly. “You must still feel pretty bad.”
She stared at a patch of spilled water gleaming on the laminate of the table. “It’s as if I’m…I’m not here. I don’t exist. Everything’s a dream. So unreal I couldn’t cry. That’s the first time since…” Propping her elbows on the table, she dropped her forehead into her palms.