KATHY WASN'T SURE WHAT TO SAY, BUT SHE BEGAN TO FEEL very uncomfortable. The past month crossed her mind in photograms and it made her sick. Too many changes, far too many new things to assume in a short period of time. She couldn't.
"I'm sorry," she answered, trying to sound reasonable. "I cannot afford to lose this flight. I will leave the doctor my address and phone number so I may be contacted if needed."
Jesse looked as if he hadn't expected such an answer - maybe the refusal to stay, but not her assertive attitude. Kathy was sure it must have been Mrs. Sloan who had told him about her, and, as it seemed, she had painted the portrait of a weak-of-character woman. Well, to be honest, poor Mrs. Sloan wasn't that much to blame, since Kathy herself felt that way very often. Nevertheless, the idea of her beloved, greatly esteemed friend describing her in such a manner to other people made the perfect remembrance of their time together somewhat bitter.
The taxi horned again and, with no further delay, Kathy started her way back home after three weeks of absence - though it seemed she had been away a much longer time.
Some hours, a taxi, a plane and a car trip later, Kathy found herself in her parents' kitchen. Her kitchen to all effects, since her attempt of independence had ended a month before.
"Your sister will be here tomorrow," said her mother. "They supposed you'd be too tired today and would prefer no visits."
"Yes."
Estelle watched her daughter sip the cup of hot milk.
"Are you sure you don't want a muffin or anything?"
"No, Mum. Thank you. I'm really not hungry."
Kathy's mother, tactful as she was, needed more input than she was receiving.
"I'm worried about you, honey. You look so sad. Were we wrong to let you go all alone? Has it been for the worse?"
"Mum," Kathy said in a grave but kind tone. "I needed to get away from everything. Encouraging me to go was the best thing you could do. I know… I'm so conscious of how hard it was for you not to come with me. But we all knew it was what I had to do. I felt so lost, so incapable of anything. When you suggested that I go on this trip, you can't imagine how much you helped me. Your trust gave me strength when I had none and I thank you for it."