Chapter 8
Vera arranged a stand-in for her shift, and spent the night with me. She was the antonym of Gina . . gentle, submissive, endearing and loving. She was always considerate. Always caring, and I loved her for it. I never discussed Gina with her, and she might have believed that the easing of my depression and the return of my libido were due to her efforts.
She knew about that unforgettable day in Afghanistan, and how Denning’s body had gone missing. Never questioning. Never critical, her compassionate understanding was always balm to my tormented mind. The wounded Denning, the not-dead Denning, remained my secret. Even from Vera.
She had become my confidante, listening to my comments about Thornton, about the Seebold household, about the gorgeous Shirley Seebold, and the kids. V
