Free The Devil's Wire by Deborah Rogers

of fresh starts that turned out to be a step backwards not forwards. She would work this out. She was a smart, resourceful woman. She had done it before and would do it again.
    When Lenise turns the corner, she's surprised to see Jennifer. She's up ahead by the deli dressed as usual in smart business attire, burnt orange leather bag hooked over her elegant shoulder, texting on her late model phone. Lenise imagines the girls' lunches, the shopping for designer clothes, the adoring daughter, the sense of accomplishment that comes with being an educated woman.
    But when Jennifer looks up, Lenise glimpses the ashen skin and the nights without sleep and doesn't feel quite so envious anymore.
    "Hello Jenny," she says.
     

 
    13
    Jennifer lifts her head. Lenise is standing in front of her, patting down her crinkled skirt, wild mane bushed out all over the place. Jennifer's first instinct is to turn around and walk the other way.
    "You've seen better days," says Lenise.
    "I suppose I have."
    "He admitted it then," says Lenise.
    Jennifer can't look Lenise in the eye so fixes her gaze on the hydrant just left of Lenise's shoulder.
    "It's been hell."
    "Well, it would be."
    Jennifer looks down at her hands. "I knew nothing about it."
    "I know that."
    Jennifer feels a sudden rush of gratitude. It's overwhelming and unexpected and she begins to cry.
    "I can't believe I didn't know. I feel so stupid."
    She blinks through her tears. People stare and Lenise scowls. "Mind your own fucking business."
    She takes Jennifer's arm. "Come on," she says, steering her into a nearby café. "Wait here."
    Lenise walks to the counter and Jennifer takes a seat in the corner and bats away the tears. She tells herself to get a grip. She hates all this – making a scene – like she's some sort of fragile little girl. There's a painting of a buffalo on the wall above the counter so she focuses on that, tries to think of a happy time. Lenise returns with two walnut brownies and a passionfruit cupcake.
    "Eat something."
    Jennifer's gut flips. "I'm not doing food right now."
    "Suit yourself."
    Lenise slips into the chair opposite and places the Go Figure finance envelope down by her ankle.
    "I was fired," says Lenise. "Unfair dismal. I'm going to take them to court."
    "Sorry to hear that."
    "Yeah, well, life's a bitch and then you die."
    The pot of tea arrives. Lenise looks inside and shuts the lid in disgust.
    " Tea bags . This country's a basket case." Lenise rotates the pot exactly three times, pours two cups and pushes one across the table. "Go on. It will make you feel better."
    Jennifer feels the steam on her chin. She takes a sip. It's hot enough to blister her lips.
    "I keep waiting to wake up. It's worse than a nightmare. McKenzie won't talk to me." Then before Jennifer knows it, she's crying again and the paper napkin is sodden and disintegrating in her hands. "I just wish I could've done something. I feel so incredibly useless, like the worst mother in the world. All I can think about is what he must have done to her and for how long."
    "You want to know what I saw," states Lenise.
    Jennifer looks up. "No." Then, "Yes."
    "It won't help."
    "I want to understand what she's been through."
    "You already do."
    Jennifer stares into her tea. Milk has formed a film on the surface and breaks away like an island from the mainland.
    "What will you do?" says Lenise.
    Jennifer runs a hand over her face. "I'm on my way to police."
    "Police?"
    "Of course."
    "There's bound to be uncomfortable questions."
    "What are you getting at, Lenise?"
    "Why you didn't know."
    Jennifer sits back in her chair. "What a cruel thing to say."
    Lenise dismisses her with a hand.
    "Jenny, I believe you but that doesn't mean they will."
    "What else do you expect me to do? He's got to pay for he's done."
    Lenise watches Jennifer over the rim of her tea cup. "I might know someone."
    Jennifer looks at her. "What are you talking about?"
    "To send a message, a clear message, to let him know