cautious.
Then came phone calls.
And finally, a meeting.
I listened as Emily described the first time she’d heard Susan’s voice.
“I was so nervous I wrote down everything I
wanted to say,” she admitted.
Susan laughed through her tears.
“I had a whole notebook.”
Emily smiled.
“I know. You told me.”
I watched them together.
There was so much affection between them.
And so much lost time.
Then Emily turned toward me.
“There’s something you should know about Robert.”
My breath caught.
“What?”
She reached into her handbag.
“I met him.”
I stared at her.
“When?”
“Five years ago.”
I couldn’t speak.
Emily continued.
“My first meeting with Susan was supposed to happen at a café. She got frightened
and almost canceled.”
Susan looked embarrassed.
“I did cancel. Twice.”
Emily smiled gently.
“Robert called me afterward. He said Susan was scared, but that she loved me very much.”
I
