SIX
Rachel was almost ready to close the office when Ruby entered. She looked a bit breathless and a touch frantic.
“Ruby, what’s happening?” Rachel asked.
“Loretta has pneumonia,” Ruby said, collapsing into the chair. “She’s in the hospital. I just knew it. I knew something bad was wrong.”
“Oh, Ruby, I am so sorry,” Rachel said, stepping from behind her desk. “What can I do to help?” Rachel placed a hand on Ruby’s shoulder.
“I don’t guess anything,” Ruby said, shaking her head. “I just can’t lose Loretta, just can’t.”
That statement broke Rachel’s heart. To have been such close friends, and then estranged for so many years, and now to come back together again, and then this happens.
“Ruby, it’s going to be all right. Really, it will.”
Ruby looked up at Rachel, wearing an expressio
