The phone rang that evening just as Emma was settling
down for bed. She knew immediately it was Joe, and she wanted to kick herself
for not calling to ask about his flight. He assured her that everything had
been smooth.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you today. Was it hard?”
“Not too bad. The trash and the dishes were pretty rank,
but– ”
“I mean, was it hard facing Rachel’s house? It must have
been a long day there all alone.”
Emma hesitated. “I… wasn’t alone the entire day. The
Realtor came by to look the house over, and he stayed awhile.” She twisted the
phone cord around her finger.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“What did he say?”
