Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR
Six months after the divorce, Lena attended another fundraiser.
In the restroom, a woman in a silver dress adjusted her bracelet.
The bracelet slipped.
Purple bruising circled her wrist.
The woman saw Lena looking and immediately said, “I’m clumsy.”
Lena heard her own old voice.
I’m fine.
She did not confront her.
Instead Lena washed her hands, dried them, and placed the black card
beside the sink.
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” Lena said quietly.
The woman looked at the card.
“If you ever need someone to answer before you know what to do, that
number answers.”
“Who are you?”
“Nobody you have to convince.”
Lena returned to the ballroom.
Claire saw her.
“You gave it away.”
“Yes.”
“How did that feel?”
“Terrifying.”
Claire smiled.
“Good.”
The woman remained in the restroom several minutes.
When she finally came out, the card was gone.
May you like
Lena hoped she would never need it.
But if she did, someone would answer.
