Free When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards

ago.”
    â€œLast week I sensed tension between her and Kristoff.”
    â€œI like the way you use his full name. So old-world.”
    â€œYou’re changing the subject.”
    Changing the subject is something I’m particularly good at. This, too, I attribute to foster care. Deflecting unpleasant realities is a foster child specialty.
    â€œThere is tension,” I said. “She’s starting to realize what a shabby deal she’s getting. He earns the money. She does everything else. She can’t count on Kristoff for help or even for making good on his promises. He was supposed to come home the night of the accident and take care of their kids. He didn’t. He was supposed to go to the neighbor’s funeral to represent their family. He didn’t get there in time. When I first met her, all those years ago, Robin was so traumatized she couldn’t speak. These days she just has trouble speaking up.”
    â€œAre you trying to pave the path to divorce?”
    Apparently Donny had given up on the soft approach. “You’ve really picked up big-time on this little drama, haven’t you?”
    â€œYou and I have worked together for five years. I know what makes you tick. And I hear ticking.”
    â€œIf you really knew what made me tick you would have said goodbye a long time ago.”
    â€œI may not know every detail, but I do know you. Nobody’s as hard on you as you are on yourself.”
    I finished the last of my muffin. I wanted another, but they’re vegan, not low cal, so I sadly dusted my hands over the plate. “I don’t like Kris all that well. He sucks the joy out of every room. But I don’t want Robin to be unhappy, either. I just want her to have the time to figure out her life. And I want her to remember she’s more than a wife and mother.”
    â€œYou’ve decided that’s not enough? Because those are fighting words for a lot of women.”
    â€œNo! I’m a big fan of mothers, never having had one who did anything more domestic than open a vial of crack. Robin’s done the domestic thing and loved it. I don’t begrudge her that. But she’s also immensely talented, and she deserves more from life than to continue being Kris’s house elf.”
    â€œFor what it’s worth I don’t think Kris sucks the joy out of a room, and I don’t think he sees her that way. He’s not one of those guys who launches himself into every conversation or regales everyone with stories about how important he is. He’s thoughtful and serious, but I think he was shaken by the accident. He couldn’t take his eyes off Robin at the table the other night. And I think he’s the kind of guy who closes in on himself when he’s in turmoil. For that matter, she does the same thing.”
    â€œWhen did you become a psychologist?”
    â€œWhen I came on board as your manager.” He winked. “It’s a job requirement. A necessity for survival.”
    Unwillingly I smiled. “What else do we need to talk about?”
    â€œI’ve got a list, but let’s take a walk on the beach first. You game?”
    I tried to remember if Donny and I had ever taken a walk together just for fun. Fun was intriguing and a good delaying tactic. “I have sand pails for shells if you find anything to collect. This is the best shelling beach in North America.”
    â€œI might. I have a niece who loves pretty shells.”
    â€œYou have a niece?” I wondered why he had never mentioned her before.
    â€œI’ll tell you all about Jenny, unless you think it will destroy my mystique.”
    I got to my feet. “You have no mystique, and it’s a deal. Besides if we take a walk, I can have another muffin.”
    â€œLet’s walk far enough for two.”
    That was almost too much pleasure to imagine. “You’ve got a deal.”

8
    Kris
    When I was a teenager and wanted to