The miles drift by without a word. Sophie drives while Bessie stares unseeingly out the open passenger window at the muggy August scene. Both are overwhelmed with jumbled thoughts and images from the reading with Dorothea.
Later, they sit across from each other on a restaurant patio, picking at their salads and smiling at each other from time to time. When they finally speak, it’s at once, causing them to burst into giggles.
“You first,” Sophie says when she catches her breath.
“Okay, well, I just can’t get over Jason being there. He was truly present in the room! I could feel his energy.”
“I know, and my dear Ashley, too.” Sophie reaches over to touch Bessie’s hand. “It feels like a dream, but I know in my heart it was completely real. My sweet girl was right there.”
“We just can’t s
