“You’re not leaving me in the lurch. I can get another temp girl in and possibly a part-time realtor to help out until we decide what we’re doing.”
“You really don’t mind?”
Sasha placed Becky’s hand gently back on the bed. “I really don’t mind. You know the offer is always there for me to buy you out. I’ve already spoken to Hank about the possibility of taking out my own business loan and he doesn’t think it will be a problem. I’ve talked to you before about all the ideas I have for expanding the agency. I’d love to have you along for the ride but I think it’s best if you are able to put your current stressful lifestyle behind you. You need to get well, need to distance yourself from the possibility of having another breakdown. That’s the only thing that matters.”
“You’re right. I think I’ve known it for ages. I need to make time for me, to allow myself time to heal.” She gave Sasha a wobbly smile. “I’m not prepared to set myself up just to crash again. I’ve come too far for that.”
“You’re a brave, strong person.” Sasha squeezed her arm reassuringly. “You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met but yes, I’m afraid you might go backward if you don’t de-stress your life as soon as possible.” Her eyes danced with merriment. “Perhaps you could become a florist.”
“Ha. Very funny.” She pressed her hand across her other hand where it rested on the sheet in an attempt to stop the constant, disconcerting trembling. “Alice tried to take away everything that was important to me. I’m so annoyed at her for choosing me for her stupid plan. She’s nothing but a life thief.”
“Well, she’ll pay for it now. Don’t worry, Becky. You can rebuild all that you’ve lost. You’ve done it before.”
“Yes, but why should I have to? Other people don’t have to go through what I’ve gone through.” Becky shook her head despairingly. “I’m exhausted just thinking about it.”
“I’ll help you. Everyone will help you. You have friends who care about you.” Sasha opened her arms wide and waited until Becky reluctantly leaned into them.
Becky held herself stiff for several seconds before she allowed herself to relax into Sasha’s embrace. Everything her friend had said was correct and if anyone could do it, she could. All she needed was some space and the opportunity to regain her mental and physical strength. She’d pack a few suitcases and take herself quietly away somewhere. A fresh start somewhere new, far away from all of this awfulness was the only thing that made sense to her right now. And when the time was right, she’d take up Sasha’s offer and allow her to buy her out of the business. She needed a career with less stress, a job away from all the bad memories. A clean slate, free of everything but the drifting chalk dust of her past mistakes. “Thanks, Sasha. I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.”
“You’re welcome.” She released Becky and checked the time on her phone. “I’m so sorry, but I have to rush away to a client meeting. I’ll see you before you go to your parents’ house, okay?”
Epilogue
Four Weeks Later
The couple left their car in the parking lot outside the cluster of buildings that made up the secure confines of Multnomah County Inverness Jail and strolled hand in hand across to the visitor’s entrance. A casual listener may have smiled to overhear their excited plans for their future together, plans that included rising to the very top of their chosen careers. They were an attractive and confident couple, a couple with the determination to succeed and the drive to ensure nothing stood in their way.
The security guard at the door asked for their ID, checked it with professional suspicion, and then stood back to allow them to step inside. They entered the oppressiveness of the building and walked along the well-trodden, dirty and insipid pink-and-cream vinyl floor tiles until they reached the reception desk.
“My name’s Sasha Freeman.” The woman tossed her long, wavy hair as she pushed her driver’s license across the grimy, pockmarked counter and under the grill of the security screen. “I’m here to see an inmate, Alice Cooper.”
The careworn receptionist eyed her over the top of her spectacles, her voice heavy with barely suppressed boredom. “Friend, relative, or legal support?”
“Friend.” Sasha gave the woman a radiant smile. “I’m most definitely her friend. I owe her a lot and I’m here to say thanks. I’m very grateful to her.” She turned around, moistening her lips as she smiled up into Michael’s eyes. She placed her hand over his where it rested possessively on her shapely butt. “We both are.”
The End
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