ilence fell。 To lighten it； she asked； 〃How's Rachel？〃
〃Fine。 Thanks for asking。 A few scabs still left； but she's back at
school。〃 Again a pause； even heavier this time。 〃Anne？〃
〃Yes？〃
〃I love you very much。〃 His voice was melancholy。 Anne wanted to believe
that he was as bothered by the separation as she was。
〃I love you； too。 When will I see you？〃
〃Soon； honey； soon。 I'll talk with you again soon。 Just remember that I
love you。〃
Tears filled her eyes。 Something felt wrong。 But he said he loved her。
She had to hold on to that。
The next day was warm by April standards； but Anne woke up feeling
chilled。 At nine o'clock sharp； Jeff's father rang her bell。
She kissed him； feeling the same fondness she always had； and reached
for her coat and purse。 〃Are the others downstairs？〃 She was eager to be
gone。 The sooner the day was done； the better。 She had been unable to
touch any breakfast； and her stomach continued to knot。
〃Actually； no。 There's been a slight change。 Our lawyer got the call
this morning。〃
〃What kind of change？〃
He took her arm and directed her back into the room。 〃Sit for a minute
and I'll explain。〃 When they were seated on the sofa； he said； 〃The
hearing has been called off。〃
〃What？〃 After dreading the day for so long； the last thing Anne wanted
was to have to go through the agony of anticipation all over again。
〃Why？〃
〃It's good news； really。 There will probably be an out…of…court
settlement。〃
A wave of relief swept her。 〃You mean； there won't be a hearing at all？〃
He shook his head。 〃I doubt it。〃
〃Then today？〃 The first thing she could think of was