EMILY RETURNS

The rumble of an approaching bus jolted Emily out of her self-made vigil. Disappointment pricked at her. Zoey was usually here earlier. She adjusted the strap of her purse, the worn leather cool against her clammy hand. Doubt gnawed at her. Maybe doing this was a bad idea. But the memory of Zoey's radiant face, the joy in her eyes when she spoke of Ellis, fueled Emily's resolve. She wouldn't let Zoey enjoy all that when she was here.

A sleek black car, not the familiar bus, rounded the corner and slowed to a stop next to Emily. Emily felt a jolt of panic go through her as she recognized Zoey peering out the passenger window. Panic clawed at her throat. She had not planned for this conversation to be done outside. But the lie, carefully constructed over weeks, sitting heavily on her tongue, demanding release. Emily had found out where Zoey usually came to this particular shop to have breakfast most days, or to order breakfast to go when she was late for work. This was the only chance s