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“I remembered every detail he said.” She
shook her head. “I’ve never seen a man talk about a woman
the way he talked about you.”
    With the intense way Ginger was staring
at her, Samantha felt she had no other choice but to watch Ginger’s
eyes too. They were caked with mascara and narrowed when they
examined her. For a brief moment she thought the woman was going to
reach up and touch her hair. “I must apologize,” Samantha
said quickly. “I’m not normally this scatterbrained. I
have a lot on my mind at the moment.” She smiled faintly,
feeling flustered once again. “To be quite honest with you, I
don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
    “Oh, don’t mind me, I’m
just thinking out loud.” Ginger snatched the duster from
beneath her arm and waved it wildly in front of her. “If you
need anything just give me a holler. I’ll be around here
somewhere.”
    Samantha stood in the foyer after the
woman had disappeared into the living room, trying to make sense of
the last few minutes. Ginger was like a whirlwind that left those in
her wake a little confused and disoriented. She had never met anyone
quite like her. Samantha smiled. Given the chance, she could really
like this woman. Understand her, not likely—but be fond of her,
definitely. Ginger was unique to say the least.
    Her awareness shifted from Ginger to
her surroundings. She was standing in a house that had once been her
home, the place she thought she would raise her children and grow old
in. It was surreal. She had never dreamed she would see this place
again. But now that she was inside, it enveloped her like an old
familiar friend. She took a few steps forward. The house looked the
same. It smelled the same. It smelled of pungent salt, rich leather,
and James. She fingered a large, glossy green leaf that belonged to
the massive plant next to her. She had moved the tree from the dining
room into the foyer because the afternoon sun was burning it. She had
been correct in thinking that the indirect light was better. It must
have grown at least a couple of feet in its new location. She smiled
at the beautiful ceramic pot it was in. She had almost forgotten
about it. It had been one of her best flea market finds. One Sunday a
month she and Marie would scout the local flea market for treasures.
James had frowned when she had brought the pot home because he had
thought it was too ugly to put in the house. Yet, it was still here.
    Samantha abruptly clutched the strap of
her purse with both hands. Horror shot through her when the reality
hit. Was she completely out of her mind? This wasn’t some fun
little walk down memory lane. She was here to see Marie and that was
it. The last thing she needed to be doing was reminiscing.
    Squaring her shoulders, she stood tall.
The small act made her feel stronger. It’s only going to take a
few minutes, she told herself. “In and out,” she said
aloud, as she expelled a long breath.
    She hurried up the stairs and stopped
several feet before the opened door. Moving slowly, she peeked into
the room. Marie was sitting in bed looking out a huge window at the
endless blue ocean. She didn’t look well. Her once-enchanting
eyes were now bleak. Her posture was stooped, her demeanor somber.
All these traits were so unlike the woman she had known only a year
ago.
    Samantha couldn’t ignore the
intense urge to run away from the pain, even as her heart ached for
this woman. The powerful sensation swept through her, demanding she
get out of the house, get into her car, and drive as fast as she
could to the safety of her apartment.
    But she couldn’t do that to
Marie. She wouldn’t do that to Marie. It wasn’t going to
be easy but she had to at least speak with her. She stepped into the
room and said softly, “Marie.”
    Marie’s face lit up as she
turned. “Hi, sweetheart. I’ve been waiting for you.”
She gestured for her to come in.
    Samantha went to her bedside and
immediately gave her a hug.