Free Bridge to a Distant Star by Carolyn Williford Page B

and being away from us.”
    Maureen gathered her thoughts, seeking the best way to obtain delicate information. “You mean he’s moved back into the house? Clothes and everything?”
    “Yes, he has. His razor’s back where it belongs. I even tripped over his sneakers this morning and it made me cry out of happiness.”
    “But do you mean … I mean … did he?”
    “If you mean”—she coyly giggled—“did he move back into our bedroom? Oh yes. And we are really serious about having another baby now. Isn’t that great news too?”
    Maureen slumped against the wall, mouth dropping open, struggling to find words that Emilie would want to hear. “Um, sure, Emilie, what an answer to so many prayers.”
    “I’ve got to run. Just couldn’t wait another moment to tell someone. What luck that I found you home. Oh, and don’t call Sherry—she’s been so critical of Ed—or breathe a word to Vanessa yet either. I want to tell them myself—see their faces. What fun. We’re meeting at that fish place near St. John’s pass, right?” Without waiting for an answer, Emilie trilled on. She was nearly babbling again. “That reminds me. I want to fix something special for dinner. What do you think? Steaks? Or should I make lasagna? Ed loves that recipe his mom passed along to me.”
    Emilie didn’t give Maureen a chance to answer. “I probably won’t have time to do lasagna or the Spanish dish. Better stick with the steaks. I made an appointment to get a manicure. And a hair cut. Can you tell I plan on looking good when Ed gets home?”
    Emilie finally stopped to catch her breath—granting Maureen the opportunity to jump into the void. “Em, this is wonderful news, it really is. So, did you and Ed talk about counseling? I know you told me you didn’t want to go by yourself. But shouldn’t both of you go now?”
    There was an awkward pause. When Emilie finally did speak her tone was noticeably more subdued. “Ed and I discussed it. And we don’t think that’s necessary now, Maureen. I thought that would be pretty obvious, given the circumstances.”
    Maureen clamped her jaw shut, willing herself not to react hastily.
    “God’s worked a miracle in Ed’s heart, and he’s said he’s sorry. As a Christian, I’m to forgive him. Simple as that.”
    “But how can you not … ?” Emilie cleared her throat loudly, and Maureen, sensing the indication of unwanted advice, immediately stopped. She’d overstepped her bounds.
    Emilie’s voice was icy now. “I would’ve thought you’d only be happy for me, Maureen.”
    “Oh, I am, Emilie. I’m really sorry, I was just …” she groped for the right words to say, anything that would heal the ugly break she’d caused in the midst of her friend’s joy. “Oh, Em. I’m just worried for you—that you could get hurt again. Please forgive me if I’ve offended you.”
    “I know you want to help, Mo, I really do.” The tension in Emilie’s voice eased, but it was replaced by weariness. “It’s just that everyone has advice for me. And everyone’s way is the right way, you know? The Christian way. Ed and I need to do what’s best for us. Can you understand that?”
    “I guess Sherry, Vanessa, and I can be a bit overbearing, huh?”
    “You all mean well.”
    “Then can you believe I mean well about you and Ed talking with someone? Tell you what.” Some nagging stubbornness pushed her to persist. “Could you just think about it?”
    “I’ll tell you why it’s not necessary, Maureen, if you really need to know.” Emilie’s voice broke, her emotions were so close to the surface. “I don’t need a counselor or anyone else to tell me it was my fault, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? That everything was my fault because … because I wasn’t the wife that Ed needed me to be. I failed him.”
    Maureen started to disagree, but the words caught in her throat, for her own heart convicted her of the same guilt. Aren’t you failing as a mom? As a wife? And