NahopehedoorforAnneNelsonasshewentout.

    "Good-bye,Noah,"shesaidquietly.

    Hehoutspeaking.Therewasntanythiosay;theybothkhat.Sheturnedfromhima,closingthedoorbehindher.Noahwatchedherwalktohercar,getin,anddriveawaywithoutlookingback.Shewasastrongwomahoughttohimself,andheknewwhereAlliegotitfrom.

    Noahpeekedinthelivingroom,sawAlliesittingwithherheaddown,theothebackporowingthatsheobealoquietlyinhisrockerandwatchedthewaterdriftingbyastheminutespassed.

    Afterwhatseemedlikeayheheardthebackdooropen.Hedidntturntolookatherjustthen-forsomereasonhecouldnt-aenedasshesatinthechairbesidehim.

    "Imsorry,"Alliesaid."Ihadhiswouldhappen."

    Noahshookhishead."Dontbesorry.Webothkwasinginsomeformoranother."

    "Itsstillhard."

    "Iknow."Hefinallyturoher,reagforherhand."IsthereanythingIakeiteasier?"

    Sheshookherhead."No.Notreally.Ihavetodothisalone.Besides,ImnotsurewhatImgoingtosaytohimyet."

    Shelookeddownandhervoicebecamesofterandalittlemoredistant,asifsheweretalkingtoherself."Iguessitdependsonhimandhowmuchheknows.Ifmymotherwasright,hemayhavesuspis,buthedoesntknowanythingforsure."

    Noahfeltatightnessinhisstomach.Whenhefinallyspokehisvoicewassteady,butshecouldhearthepaininit.

    "Yourenotgoingtotellhimaboutus,areyou?"

    "Idontknow.Ireallydont.WhileIwasinthelivingroom,IkeptaskingmyselfwhatIreallywantedinmylife."Shesqueezedh