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workload.
    “Damn the man!” she thought, brushing a tear away and feeling him slip away even more.
    ~
    T he next evening , Kate watched from the lobby’s glass door of her apartment building for Judith. When her dark green Murano pulled to a stop, double - parking beside another car, she ran and jumped inside.
    “Right on time, I see,” Judith said, letting her foot off the brake.
    “Thanks for driving.” She reached for her seatbelt.
    “No problem.”
    Kate grimaced as she fastened the buckle , remembering her news. “Oh, by the way, James isn’t going up until Friday afternoon, so I’m on my own tomorrow.”
    “That’s a drag.” She flashed her a sympathetic look. “Sorry about that. Are you sure you still want to go?”
    “Of course.” Smiling, and trying to act like it was no big deal, she shrugged. “There’s no reason not to. He’s the one with the meeting he can’t get out of.”
    Judith nodded and refocused on traffic. A few blocks later , she glanced at Kate . “Why not drive up with us, then?”
    “It’s no biggie.” Kate shook her head. “I can make the trip alone.” She crossed her finger s , hoping Judith would accept her at her word. Sharing a two-thousand - square - foot house was one thing, but being stuck with Paul on a long car trip was another matter entirely , one she had every intention of avoid ing. Even her endurance had limits.
    “No,” Judith said, tossing the idea away with the wave of her hand. “That’s impractical , and a waste of gasoline when we’re all going to the same place.” She offered a satisfied smile. “This way you can ride back with James and having you along will keep things light with Paul . So it’s a win-win.”
    Kate gritted her teeth and forced out a smile, silently searching for a way out. S he stared, unseeing, out the window , as the Nissan wound through the streets of San Francisco in the direction of the downtown art gallery . “I doubt he’ll want to include me,” she finally said, using the only excuse that came to her.
    “Let me worry about him.” She turned into the lot provided for the gallery, then parked.
    “I don’t want to mess up his plans.”
    Judith switched off the ignition. “ Paul lives right down the street from you, and we’re planning to leave around the same time. So I don’t see a problem.” She emerged from the car and, holding the door open, bent back inside. “Weren’t you the one who said we should all learn to get along?”
    Kate hopped out of the car , and slammed the door . “I know what I said, but I really don’t want to ride with him.”
    “What better opportunity to practice?” She hit the keyless lock. “Unless you’re not serious about being friends with Paul.”
    She followed Judith to the entrance, as the noose around her neck tightened.
    “So, we’re in agreement, right?” With eyebrows raised, Judith opened the outer glass door and waited for her to go ahead before stepping inside.
    “You might want to wait until he agrees before you set it in stone.”
    “I’m sure he’ll be reasonable .” She headed toward the first grouping of pictures.
    Kate sighed heavily and nodded. Her plans just kept going from bad to worse. At least the skiing promised to be good on Friday. Fresh powder only occurred a couple of times a year in the Sierras. Most of the time, skiers called the hard pack ‘ Sierra c ement. ’ “The snow better be worth it,” she grumbled.
    “And you won’t throw out any sarcastic comments?” Judith said, glancing back at her.
    “Of course not, but make sure he doesn’t either.” Kate hurried to catch up to her.
    “I’ll deal with Paul , you just deal with Kate . I mean it — be nice. T his is your weekend , remember .”
    “Judith, I’m always nice.” He was the one with the problem.
    “Ha! I’ve seen you in action, so cut the crap.” Judith’s brow shot up and she gave her the look. The same look mothers always saved for those special occasions when