– 37 –
A ringing phone awakened Cory. Her bedside clock displayed 8:05. Surprised to have overslept, she grabbed the phone, “Hello.”
“Hi, Cory, it’s Ashley. How soon can you see me?”
“Is it an emergency?” Cory asked.
“No. No. You sound groggy. Sorry if I woke you. I’ll call you later.”
“Really, it’s okay, Ashley. I’m usually up by this time. I’ll check my schedule. Hold on please.” Cory grabbed her calendar. “I can be at the office by ten.”
“See you then,” Ashley said.
Cory hopped out of bed, realizing that she must have been exhausted to awaken over an hour later than usual. Coping with the aftermath of Ashley’s trauma had sapped her of energy.
She started the coffee. While it brewed, she showered, toweled off, and dressed. Between gulps of coffee, she nibbled a nutrition bar and
