what had been lost that day； but her mind simply shut down。 Exhausted
and in need of escape； she dozed off within minutes right there on the
sofa。 The harsh peal of the phone brought her awake with a jolt。
It was her mother； filled with concern。 〃Ted just called and explained
what happened。 Are you all right？〃
〃Yes。 I'm fine。〃
〃You don't sound it。〃
〃I was sleeping。 I'm worn out。〃
〃Would you like me to run over and take you out 。。。 for a late lunch；
perhaps？〃
Anne shot a startled look at her watch。 It was nearly two…thirty。 Lunch
had fallen by the wayside； along with her appetite。 The thought of food
turned her stomach。
〃Anne？〃
〃Yes； Mother。 No； thanks。 I don't feel like eating。〃
〃Was the deposition that bad？〃
It couldn't have been worse； she thought。 〃It was 。。。 difficult。〃
〃Are you sure there's nothing I can do？〃
〃I'm sure。〃 She forced a smile into her voice； for her mother's sake；
but it vanished the instant the words were out。
The older woman sighed。 〃All right。 I'll call you later。 Get some rest。〃
〃I will。 And thanks for calling； Mom。〃
〃You're wele； darling。 Bye…bye。〃
She hung up the phone thinking that； more than anything； she needed a
shoulder to cry on； but the tears refused to e。 For a time； she
wandered aimlessly from room to room； window to window。 Eventually she
changed into jeans and an oversized shirt and； barefoot； returned to the
living room。 She felt every bit the hollow shell she must have looked。
The view from the window held nothing for her。 Nor did a glance at the
day's mail。 Unable to muster energy； she stretched out on the sofa。
One hour