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out. They don’t speak to me unless they are forced to do so.” Cynthia paused and changed the subject. “Dinner smells terrific.  Is that Italian?” 
    “It sure is. Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll get the salad from the kitchen?”
    Small talk about the town, school, and other unimportant things was all either could muster. Neither one mentioned the night before. When Sara emerged from the kitchen with the main course, Cynthia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
    “It smells fabulous. You made this?” 
    “I hope you like it.”
    “Alfredo is my favorite. I could devour both of those plates, but then you would have a bad impression of me.” Cynthia laughed as she tasted the pasta. “Oh my! This is amazing!”
    “There’s more in the kitchen if you want it, but you must save room for dessert,” Sara warned. “I have a terrific tiramisu in the fridge.”
    “You have outdone yourself. You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble, Sara.” 
    “It wasn’t any trouble, “Sara said taking a bite of her pasta. I love to cook. Besides, I bought the dessert. I didn’t have time to make it.”
    After dessert was finished and the plates were cleared away, they moved to the sofa.
    “So, tell me more about your day,” Sara prompted.
    “Very productive. I have all the utilities scheduled for when I move in. That took a while, having to go to several different places to take care of all of them.  Back in Alabama, we have one central office that takes care of everything except phone and cable.”
    “Yeah. We have everything separate around here. It can be time consuming when you have to go to each place. So you are all set for moving in to the house?”
    “Sure is.” Then she dropped the bomb that Sara did not want to hear. “I have even checked out of my hotel. I’m leaving after dinner tonight to head back. I have to get everything in my old place packed. That’s going to take a while. I haven’t done anything yet because I didn’t expect things to move so quickly here.”
    “You are leaving tonight?” Sara was greatly disappointed, although she knew that Cynthia would be leaving at some point. She just did not want it to be so soon.
    “Yeah. I might was well go ahead and get it done so I can get on back here. It will give me a little time to get the house in order before I start working with the team.”
    “Would you postpone leaving until tomorrow morning? You can spend the night here and start your drive well rested.”
    “I can do that,” Cynthia did not hesitate at all in her answer.
     
    ***
     
    “Breakfast was wonderful,” Sara said as she put her briefcase in the backseat of her car. “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble knowing you have to drive back to Alabama today. You should have rested.”
    “Believe me, it was no trouble. I enjoy cooking and it has been a long time since I’ve had someone to cook for.” Cynthia touched Sara’s arm. “I hate to leave, but I’ll be back as quickly as I can get things packed and loaded on a truck.”
    “I don’t want you to leave either, but I know you have to do it. I can live with the fact that you will be back soon though.” Sara was trying to hold back the emotions that were boiling to the surface.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    “What could he possibly want?” Sara mumbled softly as she read the note in her mailbox at work. She knew in the back of her mind what Mr. Michaels wanted, but hoped for the best.
    She decided to go to his office immediately. The rest of her day was packed full. They were testing all morning and classes in the afternoon. There was a meeting with the counselors during her planning period. She was always busy after school with students coming in for extra help.
    Mr. Michaels looked up from his desk when she knocked.
    “Come in Ms. Carson and close the door behind you.”
    Mr. Michaels was a man of about 50. He was tall and thin. His hair started thinning