The Neglected Wife's Maine Escape

y, the kind of gray morni

er kitchen, the phone p

Pastor Mille

stant, from her smal

was in the living room, his voi

id, her voice barely a whis

ed. "Listen, Tiffany's having a really hard time, just got divorced, back in town, you

," Sarah said, her gaze

I can't. Tiffany really needs me right now, she's overwhelmed. A

od. She unders

eep, hollow ache where her father used to be. Mayor Thompson, her father's old friend,

who seemed to have forgo

d you're back. Could you maybe whip something up? Tiffany's coming over, she's

pectation in his eyes. Something insi

She remembered his dream for her: to use her skills, her love of books, to revitali

n. She would go to Maine. She would ru

he words stark and off

ic from the community center's volunteer database. She

g, solicitous. "Tiffany, just calm down. I'll be right there.

keys, heading

ust some community volunteer re-registration forms. They need to

cribbled his name on the top form without a glance, his mind clearly

as g

n at his signatu