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understand. I love him.”
    This was the line that always soured Erin’s guts. She couldn’t bear to hear it one more time. “WHY! He’s a fat unreliable loser who treats you like shit and scares the hell out of your children. What’s there to love? Is the sex really that good?”
    “Go to hell, Erin.”
    “Right, I will.” Pulse flying, Erin was almost to the bedroom door when Sandra called out.
    “Don’t go, please don’t go.” Erin turned back to find her friend’s face crumpled with tears. “Don’t hate me.”
    “I don’t hate you, San.” Erin sat back down on the bed, stroking Sandra’s tangled hair. “I love you, which is why I’m tired of banging my head against the wall. D’you have any idea what it’s like to see you this way? He’s ground you down so badly over the years that you actually think you deserve the way he talks to you. I remember the way you used to be. Sometimes I see a flicker of it, like when you helped me through all the stuff with Rory. You were so strong. You and Jake.”
    “Because we were dealing with your life, not mine.”
    “Let’s deal with yours, then.”
    Sandra looked at her warily. “You don’t understand. I’ve got four kids. I can’t just pick up and go.”
    “No, but you can make a plan to pick up and go, and then do it when the time is right.”
    “The kids’ll go mad.”
    “Kids rebound. And it’s not like he’s even here most of the time.”
    Sandra lowered her gaze. “I know.”
    “Unless you let him move back in.”
    “No, no, he’s not going to move back in,” Sandra was quick to assure her.
    Erin brightened a little. Maybe she was finally getting through. “Let’s make a plan, then.”
    Sandra peered up at her with bloodshot eyes. “I’m too tired right now, Erin. I swear.”
    Fine, right, whatever.
    Sandra looked at Erin sheepishly with a half smile. “I’ve heard that for the right price, Spats O’Toole can arrange for an ‘accident’ to happen.”
    Erin was appalled. “This is no time to make jokes!”
    “Isn’t it?” Sandra caught Erin’s eye, and within seconds they were howling with laughter. A tried-and-true method to relieve stress. Let it out. Or hide it, whichever the case may be. Erin sometimes thought it was a mad thing for them to do, callous and inappropriate. And indeed, it was. But if it made Sandra feel better for a moment, that was all that mattered.
    They wound down, Sandra swiping at her eyes. “Jesus, I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard since Old Jack dressed up as Cher for that Halloween party.”
    “At least then we had the courtesy to go outside and laugh.”
    “Too true,” Sandra agreed. She looked down at the duvet again for a long moment, then lifted her eyes to meet Erin’s. “I swear I’ll do something, Er. I’ll call Social Services tomorrow.”
    “Good,” Erin returned softly, even though she knew Sandra probably wouldn’t. But maybe she was underestimating her friend. Maybe this time Sandra had had enough.
    Erin playfully pinched the top of Sandra’s hand. “You going to lie about all day like a queen?”
    “No, of course not; I’ve too much to do.” Sandra looked resigned as she swung her legs to the floor, rubbing her arms. “I’m freezing. Isn’t it supposed to be summer?”
    “You say that every summer.”
    “Summer: season of tearing my hair out,” said Sandra grimly as she slipped on her robe. “All the kids home, moaning, ‘I’m so bored, I’m so bored.’ At least I’ve got Larry Jr. sorted.”
    “How’s that?”
    “He’s going to the football camp.”
    “Really?” Erin knew it was stupid, but just the mention of the football camp made her stiffen. Football camp equaled Rory. Rory equaled pain. The moment passed.
    “Apparently he’s getting in because he’s
underprivileged
.” Sandra looked indignant. “Do you think he’s underprivileged?”
    “I don’t.
Underprivileged
is quite a strong word.”
    “Thank you. He’s got a roof over his