Free Nowhere to Run by Mary Jane Clark

related to September 11, urging him to talk about it and let it out, Mike would either yell or, worse as far as she was concerned, clam up tight.
    Watching the sanitized file tape roll, edited to omit the most gruesome scenes of people actually jumping out the windows to avoid burning to death, Annabelle could only imagine what her husband had witnessed that day. Only imagine it, because Mike refused to share the unspeakable horrors that tormented him.

Chapter 35
    When the show ended, Annabelle went down to the cafeteria and filled two take-out cups with Starbucks coffee. The milk dispenser was already empty.
    “Edgar, I hate to trouble you, but I need some milk.”
    “No trouble at all, miss.”
    He offered her a fresh container of milk and waited while she poured the white liquid into the coffees.
    “Thank you very much,” she said, handing the carton back. “I appreciate it.”
    He smiled at her as he began to empty the rest of the milk into the dispenser. That was one nice lady. Not like the others, who didn’t even give him the time of day.
    At the salad bar, Annabelle was filling a plastic bowl with sliced fruit when a woman and two young boys dressed in ski jackets pushed through the cafeteria turnstile.
    “Uncle Edgar!” exclaimed the slightly smaller one, running to the food-service worker and throwing his arms around the grown man’s waist.
    “How’s my Willie?” asked Edgar, grinning and hugging the child. “Happy birthday, my boy.”
    The older boy held back but smiled as he stood next to his mother. Annabelle estimated the brothers to be three and four years old. It was rare to see little ones inside the Broadcast Center. When children did venture in, they were treated as curiosities, mesmerizing to watch.
    “Take a look over there, boys, and see what you’d like to eat,” instructed Edgar, nodding toward the salad bar. “I’ll go toast some bagels for you.”
    As Edgar went to the grill, the mother and her children began to fill their tray.
    “I want the pineapple,” said the older boy.
    “I want the bananas,” declared Willie. “And grape jelly for my bagel.”
    The mother, feeling Annabelle watching, looked up and smiled tentatively. Annabelle returned the smile. “It’s a big treat to come in to visit their uncle, isn’t it?” she asked. “I know my kids are so excited if I bring them into the office.”
    The last time Annabelle had brought Thomas and Tara in, Constance had arranged for them to sit on the set with her after the broadcast while the cameras recorded them. The twins still got a big charge out of playing back the videotape of themselves on television. Annabelle wished she could have offered to do the same for Edgar’s nephews, but with the upset at KTA right now, that wasn’t a possibility.
    Instead, she turned to the younger boy and said, “Happy birthday, Willie. I hope you have fun today.”

    Annabelle was waiting when Constance, stunning now in full makeup, arrived back at her office.
    “Oooh. Just what I needed,” said Constance, accepting the paper cup of piping hot high-test. She popped off the plastic lid and settled back in her chair. “So how’s it going, honey?” she asked, taking a careful sip.
    Annabelle rolled her eyes. “I can’t tell. I think the FBI believed me when I told them I had nothing to do with Lee’s plan. I only hope Yelena did. I need this job, Constance.”
    The show host nodded. “How is it going at home?”
    “I’m still waiting for Mike’s new medication to kick in. It’s been over two weeks now. Of course, he’d actually have to take the medicine in order for it to work.” She sighed heavily.
    “I don’t know what to say, Annabelle. It sounds lame, but I know everything will work out. Mike is such a great guy. He will pull out of this. I’m sure of it.”
    “I hope you’re right, because the whole thing is really getting to me.” She felt tears welling.
    “I don’t know how you handle it all, Annabelle. I