"ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH ALAN?"
The question caught Roxanne completely by surprise. The most embarrassing thing of all was that she actually had to reflect on it before she was able to give an answer. Blanche's face - she was never left alone, for she seemed extremely frail since the terrible event - lit up on hearing the topic initiated by Celeste. Roxanne was really glad to see this sign of improvement.
"I wish I found it easier to answer that; but I don't. I always thought I would."
"Before things really happened?"
Celeste, the most affected one of all at first, had once again drawn upon her own strength to put the trauma behind her. She was suffering, a lot, Roxanne was well aware of that, and surely kept repeating to herself that night's obsessive mantra: He thought it was me. But in front of everyone else, she was back to normal and helping Blanche exceptionally well.
"Do you miss him?" Almost two weeks had gone by since he had left.
"Yes, I do. But I don't think that has to mean I'm in love. Besides, he's gone, so it wouldn't matter anyway."
"Joseph is in love with you. He's head over heels."
"Where did you get that from? Head over heels?"
Blanche watched them, almost enjoying herself, laying aside her deep sorrow for a little while.
"From a book he lent me. He borrowed several for me from the library yesterday. I'm reading other things now, you know? Reeeal stuff."
There was a fresh tone of healthy mischief in Celeste's words.
"Well, I'm happy to hear that you've gotten interesting books to read, but, concerning that other thing, I'm convinced you're wrong. Joseph sees me as a sister. Just like you."
"Oh, not at all. And then, why would he ask me if you have feelings for Alan?"
"Whaaat?"
Celeste pursed her lips and blinked with exaggerated eyelid movements.
"I don't believe you."
"Well, it's true."
Celeste turned to Blanche for confirmation. The latter nodded her head.
"But… why did he think I would have told you…" Roxanne stopped in time a question that no longer applied - the current conversation proved it - and that would hurt both of them.
It didn't escape Celeste in the least, but she nobly overlooked it.
"Now, it is only left to know," she went on without a hint of anything but good humor, "what you feel about him."
"I…," she decided to be honest. "I don't know how long it takes to know something like that. And… I should probably need him to talk directly to me."
"All right. Fair enough. I'll then turn to a less pleasant issue, at least for me."