A Long Time Coming

ALTC Chapter One

ALTC Chapter Two

ALTC Chapter Three

ALTC Chapter Four

Heart's Passage

No Ocean Deep

Infinite Possibilities

Cate's Home Page

It had been just over two years since she and Sarah had terminated their professional relationship. The time had gone quite quickly, Shelby reflected, but in many ways it had been less difficult than she had expected. She had missed Sarah, of course, but that ache was leavened by a strong sense that it wouldn’t last for ever and there was the possibility of a solid friendship waiting in the wings. In the time since they had seen each other maybe three times, all at Shelby’s instigation. A lunch here, a cup of coffee there. It had always been pleasant, but the last time had been over a year earlier, and there still seemed to be a little distance between them. As if, by mutual, unspoken decision, they knew it still hadn’t been enough time gone by.

It’s been two years, Shelby thought as she dialed. That should be long enough, surely. And, damn it, I miss her. She waited as the phone rang.

“Morgan and Matthews, Sally speaking.” The familiar voice of Sarah’s long-time receptionist made Shelby smile.

“Hey, Sally, it’s Shelby Macrossan. How are you?”

“Shelby! I’m fine thanks. It’s good to hear from you, but I’m afraid Sarah isn’t here.” Her voice suddenly became much more serious. “I’m afraid there’s some bad news.”

Shelby felt a cold shot of fear race through her system. “Is she okay? What happened?”

There was a pause and then Sally cleared her throat. “Joe died. On Saturday.”

“Oh my god.” Shelby gasped. “I knew he’d been ill but …”

“Apparently things had been going downhill quite quickly the last few months,” Sally said. “Sarah left work early on Friday because he had collapsed at the shopping centre and was taken to hospital. Other than that I don’t really know the details.”

Shelby closed her eyes and tried to breathe normally, but she hurt for her friend. “Damn, Sally, that’s awful.”

“Mhmm. He was such a sweet man. We’re all really sad about it.” There was another pause and Shelby could hear the shuffling of papers. “I’ve got the details of the funeral here somewhere, hang on. Oh, here they are. Have you got a pen?”

Shelby took a deep breath and tried to get her mind to focus. “Go ahead.” Sally gave her the relevant information and Shelby quickly wrote them down. “Okay thanks. Look, do you think it would be appropriate for me to go to the funeral, Sally? I mean, I have no clue.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what to tell you,” the receptionist replied. “Sarah is such a private person. I’m not even sure if I should go.”

Shelby sighed, considering her options. "Thanks, Sally. I guess I'll send some flowers and a note."

********************************

Sarah lay on the couch, her right arm across her eyes, a damp handkerchief clutched in her fingers. It was the day after the funeral and she had finally been left to her own devices. She couldn't for the life of her work out whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, she'd had enough of people being kind and solicitous. But on the other, she was now alone in an empty house with nothing but her own emotions to deal with.

She was bone-weary. From Friday afternoon until right this second, five days later, everything had been a blur. Nights spent in the hospital ICU, knowing that she wouldn't get to speak with Joe again, or at least, knowing he would not be able to answer her. And then days dealing with relatives, funeral directors, caterers.

Thankfully the friends and family had stayed around long enough to clean up after the wake, but everything in the house felt wrong. She kept expecting Joe’s tall form to come around a corner, or to hear his favorite music coming from his study. But there was just silence and an emptiness she didn’t want to touch.

Sarah sighed and pulled herself upright. Lying still with her thoughts was driving her insane.

Someone had left a pile of correspondence on the coffee table. A condolence book, cards, letters and notes were scattered across the polished surface. Sarah leaned forward and picked one up.

Sarah, it read. I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I'd had the chance to meet Joe. I know he must have been a very special person. If there's anything I can do, please let me know. With love, Shelby.

Sarah smiled. Even without the signature she would have recognized who the note was from. So typical of you, Shelby, she thought. Sweet and concerned.

She dropped the card back on the pile, losing interest in reading any more condolences. There wasn’t anything she was sure of, no thoughts formed coherently in her mind and she began wandering from room to room. Every space in the house carried memories. Every painting, each vase, each figurine, every piece of furniture held a story, every one of them was a memory of Joe. Part of her wanted to stay and savor every one of them, and part of them made Sarah want to walk away and into the next room, never lingering too long.

Eventually she found herself standing next to the telephone, her hand hovering over the handset. Without giving herself time to think about it and change her mind, Sarah flipped through the pages of her address book until one page caught her eye. She ran a finger down the page and stopped at Shelby’s number.

****************************************

The phone was damn persistent in her dream. She was trying hard to have a conversation with the faceless woman in front of her but the phone distracted her. And distracted her. And distracted her. Damn.

Shelby swam up out of the dream and fumbled for her phone. “Yeah, h’lo?” she mumbled.

“Hello, it’s me. I’ve woken you up, haven’t I?”

The voice was very familiar, but it took a good 10 seconds for Shelby to realize it was Sarah on the other end of the line.

“Yeah … Sarah, hi. It’s okay.” Shelby rubbed her face and tried to collect her thoughts into something usable. “How are you?” Oh, stupid fucking question, Shel. Her husband just died, you idiot.

Sarah dealt with the question with her usual grace, however. “All the better for your sweet card,” she answered quietly. She went on before Shelby could dig herself a deeper hole. “I was wondering if you’d like to come over for lunch? Not that I can guarantee I’ll be much company. Are you working tonight?”

Shelby sat up and drew her knees to her chest. “Yeah, I am, but I don’t have to be at the theatre until 4pm. I’d love to come over.”

“Okay then. See you about 1pm?”

“Sure. Would you like me to bring something? You’ve got enough on your plate without making lunch for me.”

Sarah laughed softly. “Trust me, there’s more leftover food here than could be consumed by a small Third World country. You can help me clear the decks a little.”

“Great. See you then.”

**************************************

Shelby hesitated outside the door. To be honest she had been truly surprised by Sarah’s phone call inviting her to lunch. Just a day after Joe’s funeral, Shelby had expected the psychologist to be surrounded by family and friends, with no thought of ex-clients in her mind.

But here she was. She had never been to Sarah’s home before but the casual elegance of the house and garden were just as she would have expected. Shelby reached up and knocked on the large door.

Almost immediately she heard movement inside and the door opened. Sarah looked much as ever – if dressed more casually than Shelby was used to – and only the dark circles under her blue eyes gave any indication that life had been difficult over the last week.

“Hello, Shelby,” Sarah said, with a smile. “Come on in.” Once Shelby was inside, Sarah pulled the taller woman into a close, warm hug. “Thanks for coming. It’s really good to see you.”

Shelby shook off her hesitation and relaxed into the hug, tightening her arms around Sarah and feeling an answering squeeze. “Thanks for asking me. I was thinking about you lots.”

They broke apart and Sarah smiled up at her. “Your card really made smile. And it reminded me that I hadn’t seen you in ages.”

She led Shelby through into the lounge and the younger woman looked around appreciatively.

“This is lovely,” she said. “Somehow I always knew you’d have excellent taste.” She grinned at Sarah who acknowledged the compliment with a nod.

“Well, it wasn’t just me. Joe had a lot to do with it.”

“I’m sure,” Shelby murmured as she sat down on the sofa. Sarah lowered herself into one of the matching armchairs close by. “Can I ask you something?”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Of course,” she replied.

“Why am I here?” She laughed at the surprised look on Sarah’s face. “I don’t mean in the metaphysical sense, Doc.” They smiled at each other. “I just mean … I would’ve thought that you’d want family and friends around you right now.”

Sarah sighed, acknowledging to herself that perhaps her choice would seem a little strange to Shelby. “I’ve had family around me all week,” she said as she relaxed back into the comfortable leather. “It’s been a little much, to be honest. If I’d had a dollar for every time someone asked me how I was doing, I could put in that pool we were always …” She swallowed, her gaze flicking past Shelby to the backyard. A shake of her head and a quick clearing of her throat and she refocused on her friend. “And Shelby … I do consider you a friend. I know that’s a strange thing to say, given that we’ve hardly begun to get to know each other outside therapy.”

Shelby smiled. “It does feel a little odd,” she admitted. “We’ve known each other a very long time. But we’ve hardly ever …” She left the sentence unfinished, uncertain of what she really meant.

“My fault. I just wanted to be sure there had been enough time gone past before we tried to start a new direction.”

Shelby nodded. “And I understood that. I guess it just surprised me that you would choose now to start.”

“Why? Because I should be up to my ears in grief?”

“I guess so, yes.”

Sarah’s smile was sad. “And I guess I am. But I think what I need right now is conversation and none of the expectations that come with the family members and people who consider themselves to be my friends. Does that make sense?”

Shelby thought it did, and she had a theory about why. “Mhm, I think so. Is it maybe that you need to feel in control? And maybe that’s a bit easier with an ex-client.”

The truth of that pulled a self-deprecating laugh from the therapist. “Sometimes you are scary smart, d’you know that?” Shelby grinned. “When you put it like that it doesn’t exactly make me feel proud of myself,” she admitted. “Not a great way to start getting to know each other.”

Shelby brushed it off with a wave of her hand. “Don’t worry about it,” she said. “I don’t have a problem with it, and we have to start somewhere. Just don’t start asking how everything makes me feel.”

They both laughed and Sarah found herself gazing affectionately at the other woman. Now I remember why I wanted to keep this woman in my life, she thought. “Thank you,” she said aloud. “Now come on into the kitchen and let’s see what we can rustle up for lunch.”

*********************************

It had been a most excellent meal, Shelby decided. They had feasted on leftover food from Joe’s wake and downed a bottle of quality white wine. The conversation had flowed easily between them – as it had always done, but now Shelby found that her former therapist was much more relaxed with her, and more inclined to voice her own opinion instead of reflecting Shelby’s. I like that, and I like her.

They had lapsed into a comfortable silence, both sipping their wine and listening to the classical CD Sarah had put on when they had moved back into the lounge.

After a few minutes, Sarah refocused on her younger companion. “Shelby, can I tell you about Joe?”

Shelby smiled. “I’d love you to. I wish I’d had a chance to meet him and get to know him. I mean, you’ve always told me little things about him – when he was sick, and stuff – but I feel like I missed out on really knowing a top bloke. So, yes, please do.”

Sarah shifted in her seat, making herself more comfortable. “It’s been quite strange,” she said quietly. “Ever since last Friday, I’ve been surrounded by people who knew him very well, so there wasn’t much to say. I wanted to talk about him, but everyone has been on egg shells with me, and it was … just awful.”

“How did you meet?” Shelby asked, feeling oddly like their roles had reversed. She was hungry to know more about this woman she’d bared her soul to for more years than she could remember.

“He was the principal of the first school I taught at,” Sarah said, smiling at the memory.

“I’d forgotten you were a teacher. Was it love at first sight?”

“God, no.” Sarah laughed. “He was just my boss for ages. I was too busy trying to figure out what on Earth I was doing standing in front of a classroom full of sweaty, cranky eight-year-olds to really notice him much. I read his memos, though.”

Shelby leaned back in the sofa and stretched her legs out. “Somehow, I bet he noticed you.” She wasn’t ashamed to admit to herself that she was trying to imagine a younger version of the woman sitting next to her. I would certainly have noticed you. “And just what were you doing standing in front of a roomful of sweaty kids?”

A wry smile was her answer. “Rapidly deciding that I’d made a grave error of judgment,” Sarah replied. “Try to imagine. Late November in outback New South Wales, in an unairconditioned classroom with 36 of them.” Sarah shook her head at the memories. “It was a nightmare.”

“I’d rather not imagine if you don’t mind.” Shelby grinned at her friend. “Tell me more about Joe?”

Sarah kicked off her sandals and rested her head on her hand, her elbow on the arm of the sofa. “One day he asked me to hang back after a staff meeting,” she said. “Next thing I knew we were having dinner together.” She smiled at Shelby. “It was comfortable and easy.”

“No grand passion?” A cheeky question, Shel.

Sarah laughed quietly. “Oh there was plenty of that,” she said. “But that wasn’t what made it special.”

“No?”

She shook her head. “No.” She paused. “A lovely bonus, certainly.” Another smile. “I was safe with him.”

Shelby nodded, completely understanding. It was something she had always searched for in a relationship, above all else. She wasn’t surprised to find the same need in Sarah. “What did he like?”

“Mmmm, many, many things. He played a lot of sport when he was younger. Watched a lot of it when he couldn’t play anymore.”

Shelby grinned, knowing Sarah’s aversion for all things competitive. “How did that sit with you?”

“I learned to score at cricket so I would see more of him on the weekends.” She smiled. “Bet you didn’t expect to hear that.”

“You’re right. I can’t even begin to imagine it.” She laughed.

“Well, I did. But there were plenty of other things we both loved. Music, theatre, books. Our politics were pretty compatible and the age difference didn’t seem to matter much.”

“He much older than you was he?”

“Twelve years. It certainly didn’t bother me, but my parents were worried … right up until the moment they met him. Then he just charmed my mother and kept my father talking about sport, so there was no time for either of them to do anything else but like him.”

“Smart guy.”

“Oh yes,” Sarah agreed. “Very. But he was just being who he was.”

Shelby found she had a thousand questions about Joe. For years he had been a part of the conversations she and Sarah had shared but most of the time, digging too deep produced a deflection from the older woman. Now all the things that Shelby had been curious about over the years came back to the surface and she didn’t feel like she had to bite back the questions anymore.

They talked for hours, Sarah sharing her memories of her husband, Shelby listening and prompting for more as the minutes ticked past. It was getting late in the day, and Shelby was uncomfortably aware that she would soon need to leave for the theatre. It was the last things in the world she wanted to do.

“Gosh, Shelby, you’d better get moving,” Sarah said after a glance at her watch. “You don’t want to be late. Not that I want you to go, to be honest.” Sarah was surprised to acknowledge how fragile she felt at the thought of being alone for the first time since Joe had died.

“Y’know, I don’t have to go,” Shelby said, sensing the vulnerability of her friend. “It’s not like I’m running the show or anything. They can get another crew member in easily.”

“Oh, I can’t ask you to do that,” Sarah replied. Truthfully there was nothing she wanted to ask more. “I have to be alone some time. And you need to go to work. Don’t worry about me."

Shelby looked at Sarah and decided she wasn’t fooled for a second. “Well, I don’t want to go either.” She folded her arms and crossed her legs. “In fact, I just decided I’m not going to go to work tonight. It’s not like I’m running the show – they can find someone else to do my stuff. Where’s your phone?” And with that she bounded out of the sofa and made for the telephone. “Let me give the stage manager a call and then I’m going to make us a cup of tea.”

“Shelby …”

“Don’t argue,” Shelby laughed as she punched in the number.

“Thank you,” Sarah said quietly. In truth, She was a little sheepish about feeling so needy, especially when she and Shelby were really only starting to get to know each other again. But for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, there was something very reassuring about having the young woman around. “Safe,” she murmured.

“Done,” Shelby said as she turned away from the phone. “I am officially suffering from a killer migraine.” She grinned. The answering smile from Sarah warmed Shelby’s guts. “I’m all yours. Tea?”

“Mmm, yes please.”

**************************************

Later, they sat next to each other on the sofa, feet up on the coffee table, shoulders just touching each other.

“Honestly, I was surprised that your family weren’t hanging around a little longer,” Shelby said as she sipped her cup of tea.

“I managed to persuade them not to. But … now that I have a night to face … I … don’t know if …”

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to, y’know.”

“Joe used to say that I’d be relieved once he was gone because then I could finally get the peace and quiet I crave when I’m not working.” Shelby watched the faraway look in Sarah’s eyes. There was a shimmer of tears there. “But there’s a difference between silence when someone you love is nearby and silence when he’s … not …”

“Mhm, I would imagine so.”

“You spend a lot of time alone.”

Shelby laughed wryly. “I’m used to it, and sometimes even that isn’t enough to make it … enjoyable.”

A tear drifted down Sarah’s cheek. “Sorry.” She brushed it away hastily.

Shelby took her hand and squeezed it, half-expecting Sarah to pull away, but instead she felt the grip on her fingers tighter and her hand pulled closer. “You don’t have anything to apologize for,” she said.

“It’s not what you expected though.”

“I didn’t have any expectations for today, Sarah, honestly. Other than wanting to pay my respects.”

Sarah looked at her, more tears threatening to spill over. “I’m not feeling very counselor-like right now.” Sarah gave her ex-client a wan smile.

“You’re not my counselor anymore, Sarah.”

“No, I’m really not, am I?”

“Nope.”

Sarah sighed and rested her head on Shelby’s shoulder. It was so unexpected that Shelby found herself holding her breath. She released it slowly and tried to relax. It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable with the way the conversation had gone – exactly the opposite if the truth be told. But if Shelby was truly honest with herself she would admit that she had expected nothing more than a quick visit with someone she would have to spend time getting to know again.

This is just … really, really … nice, she thought. I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad I sent that note. And I’m very glad I quit therapy when I did. She relaxed and rested her cheek against the top of Sarah’s head. And I’m so glad it’s me she wants to spend this time with.

*******************************

Sarah blinked. She was disconcerted to find herself lying along the sofa, her head resting on Shelby’s thigh. How long have I been asleep, she wondered. With no watch on, it was impossible for her to tell, but a gentle snore from behind her head told her she wasn’t the only one who had fallen asleep.

Slowly she rolled up into a sitting position and smiled as she caught sight of Shelby. The younger woman was deeply, although uncomfortably by all appearances, asleep, her head resting awkwardly on the back of the sofa, her mouth slightly open.

“You’re going to regret that in the morning, Shelby,” Sarah murmured. A glance at Shelby’s watch told her it was just after 1am. “Well, I’m not sending you home at this hour … even if I wanted to.” Sarah stood and looked down at her friend. She felt a wave of affection. “Shelby … Shelby, honey.”

Shelby snored on, her exhalations puffing out her cheeks softly. Sarah reached down and took her hand, shaking it gently. “Sheeeeeeelbyyyy.”

“Wha-buh … uh … hi.” Shelby rubbed her face/ She looked around and tried to clear her mind. “What happened?”

“We fell asleep,” Sarah replied. “Me first, I think.” She was rather surprised that her mind had allowed her to do that. She had been expecting sleep to be more of a stranger, at least for while.

“Yeh, you did,” Shelby agreed. “I wasn’t far behind you, though.” She smiled up at Sarah. “You okay?”

“Mhmm. Just really tired. Come on, let’s sort you out a place to sleep.”

“I’m okay here,” Shelby demurred.

“Don’t be silly. There are two spare bedrooms. There’s no need to be uncomfortable. Come on.”

Shelby didn’t argue any further. Her neck was sore just from the few hours she’d been snoozing on the sofa. The thought of a bed was too tempting. She stood and followed Sarah down the corridor.

“Here you are,” Sarah said, leading the way into a neat, small bedroom in the back corner of the house. Shelby sat down on the bed while Sarah went to a cupboard and pulled out fresh linen. “My sister used this room till this morning, so let’s just give it a quick change.”

Shelby yawned and stood up again, following Sarah’s lead as she began to strip the bed. Three minutes later they had it remade and they stood facing each other.

“You going to sleep all right?” Shelby asked softly.

Sarah smiled. “Actually, I think so, yes. I’m at the point where my brain’s about stopped.”

“Probably a good thing, for right now,” Shelby replied. “Come and get me if you need anything.”

Sarah stepped forward and pulled Shelby into another hug. “Thank you for being here,” she whispered.

“Thank you for letting me be,” she answered. “I’m glad my being here helps.”

Sarah stepped back and nodded. “It does.” She smiled again. “Good night.”

“’Night.”

********************************

Sarah stood in the doorway of the master bedroom and looked around. For the last few months she had slept in one of the spare rooms. Joe had been a light sleeper and in some pain, and they had agreed that for the sake of Sarah’s sleep, and his need to get up and move around through the night, sleeping apart made more sense.

Now she was at a loss to know what she wanted to do. On the one hand, most of her things were in the other room. She was used to sleeping there. On the other, this room was filled with Joe’s presence. His clothes, toiletries, a pile of books on the bedside table. Sarah gasped slightly at the sight of his beaten up old slippers, peeking out from under the bed.

Suddenly, all she wanted was to crawl into the bed they had shared for the best part of 30 years. Kicking off her shoes she crawled up the bed and slid between the sheets.

“Oh god,” she groaned. What she hadn’t expected was the scent of Joe’s aftershave, still present on the pillows and sheets. It undid her, completely. Sarah pulled his pillow into her as she curled up on her side, hugging it close and burying her face in its softness. She breathed in his scent and, finally, let the tears fall freely. It was a release she had needed for days, had found impossible with a house full of family. But now it came, raw emotion that burned her throat and swamped her senses. And she let it. Until finally she drifted into a deep sleep, wrapped in her memories.

******************************

Shelby was wide awake. She could hear Sarah crying across the hall, a low keening that tore at Shelby’s heart. She sat up in bed and pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them.

Do I go to her? The sound was giving Shelby goosebumps. I’ve got to go to her, surely? But something held her back. She rocked back and forth, listening. Jesus. Think Shelby. What would she want?

Shelby looked around the room. Her sister was here. And I’ll lay dollars to doughnuts Sarah didn’t cry like this with her family around. She had no idea how she knew that but she was sure, somehow, that she was right.

Leave her be, Shelby, she decided. It’s enough that you’re here. She’s crying even knowing you’re here. This is the way she wants it to be. Let her be.

It wasn’t easy. Shelby could swear she felt every sob in her bones. But gradually it seemed Sarah exhausted herself. Shelby stretched out, trying to relax out muscles that had cramped up while she listened. Finally, she too, let sleep take her over.

************************

The smell of bacon dragged Shelby from her bed. She pulled on her jeans and padded out into the living area where she found Sarah sliding fried goodies onto a couple of plates.

“Well, good morning, sleepyhead,” Sarah said, smiling at her guest, who was looking very disheveled. Not that it’s possible for her to ever look bad, she acknowledged to herself. I wish I looked that good first thing in the morning.

“H’lo there. Damn, that smells good.” Shelby managed a sleepy grin. Sarah was wearing a long, silk dressing gown and Shelby’s brain was trying hard to correlate the 14 years of her experience with the psychologist with the woman standing in front of her, flipping fried eggs. Damn, who knew she’d look this good first thing in the morning, her rebellious mind insisted on telling her. Oh, hush. Quit being inappropriate, for god’s sake. “Can I have two eggs, please?”

“Tch, woman, have you no respect for your cholesterol?” Sarah said it with a smile, though, and promptly put another egg on Shelby’s plate.

“Not yet, nope.” Shelby took the plate from Sarah and placed it down in front of herself. She took in a long, appreciative sniff. “Yum. How did you sleep?”

Sarah hesitated. She knew it was likely Shelby had heard her. And that’s okay, she decided. “Actually, pretty well,” she replied, catching Shelby’s eye. “Eventually.”

Shelby nodded. “Good. So did I.”

Sarah sat down opposite her across the breakfast bar. “Good. So, what’s on your plate today?”

Shelby grimaced. “Ugh. I have to start looking for somewhere to live,” she answered.

“Really? How come? I thought you were still living down the coast.”

“Mhmm,” Shelby replied around a mouthful of bacon and egg. She chewed and swallowed. “But the owner’s decided he wants to live there himself. And he’s given us a couple of weeks’ notice.”

“Wow. That seems a little unfair.”

Shelby shrugged. “He’s kept the rent low for the last four years, so I guess he’s entitled to do what he wants,” she said. “Not much I can do about it, anyway. So me and the boycat are going to be homeless unless I find something pretty soon.”

Sarah smiled. “How is the boy?”

“Feisty as ever. Take a look at this.” Shelby held out her right arm and turned it palm up. There was a long scratch down almost the entire length of her forearm. Sarah winced.

“What did you do to deserve that?”

“Got between him and his kibble.”

“Ouch.”

“Oh yeah.”

The spark of an idea was beginning to form in Sarah’s mind. “Is it going to be hard to find a place that will let you have a cat?”

Shelby nodded. “Yeh. Although he’s an indoor cat, so maybe I can sneak him in and not tell anyone. But it’s pretty hard to hide the bags of kitty litter I bring in every week.” She laughed.

What the hell. Sarah put down her cutlery and walked into the living room. “Come with me, Miss Macrossan,” she said, gesturing to Shelby to follow her.

Curious, Shelby did as she was told and followed Sarah across the large living room to a door. Sarah opened it and led the way down a short flight of stairs. As Shelby reached the bottom of the stairs she realized they were in a small apartment, complete with its own kitchen.

“There’s the bedroom through there,” Sarah pointed to the right. “And there’s an en suite off that. And it has its own front door and key, for complete privacy.” She stood, arms folded as Shelby wandered around, taking it all in. “What do you think?”

Shelby did a double-take. “What do I think? You mean … me? Move in here?” Sarah nodded, wondering if she had presumed too much. “Wow, Sarah …” Shelby turned a full circle. The apartment was small, but by no means cramped. Well-designed, airy – you’d never know there was a whole house on top of it. She turned around to Sarah and grinned. “I’d love to. Yes.” It was her turn to hesitate. This was a big step for them both. “Are you sure?”

Very. “Yes. Wouldn’t have suggested it if I weren’t. How much rent are you paying now?” Shelby named the amount. “Okay, but that’s for a three-bedroom place, yes?” Shelby nodded. “So let’s halve that.”

Shelby was stunned. “That’s not enough, Sarah,” she protested, but the psychologist already had her hand up to stop her.

“Don’t argue.”

“Done.”