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What she hadn’t anticipated was the down ti of loss and eer of sing her

"Is sos "You haven’t seemed like yourself all day"

"I’ on the invitations to the local writers’ group for the literary tea, but Joy’s otten sidetracked She tried not to think about Ted She tried toblue and dispirited about her life in general

"Are you a little under the weather?" Catherine asked, and patted Joy’s shoulder affectionately "I understand the flu bug’sjust great," Joy insisted, forcing a s for an excuse to burst into tears A sentimental advertiseot Charles to agree to collect the donations for the library committee?"

"Yes" Joy was rather proud of that acco one of his more lucid moments, she’d talked to hihted at the prospect He seemed less embroiled in his fantasy world of late, and Joy wanted to believe that was because the present one was gaining appeal

"Everything is coreed It felt as though her life were in sha s by this afternoon," Catherine announced, studying Joy carefully "He called and invitedthe waters, looking for a response froive her one "I’ll get these invitations in thethe least bit tactful about changing the subject

Ever gracious, Catherine took the hint and followed Joy’s lead "Do you really think any of the writers will agree to attend our tea? It would mean so much to us, but it is rather late notice"

"We’ll find out soon enough," Joy told her

"I guess ill at that" Catherine hesitated in the doorway "Why don’t you stop at randmother said unexpectedly "We could have a cup of tea and a nice long chat"

"What about the other co to detain her long enough so she’d be there when Ted arrived for their appointed

"Catherine," Joy said, shuffling through her e both feet firrounded for this, because it was much too easy to let her romantic soul dominate what she kneas best

"Yes, dear," the older wo to do, and it won’t work"

Catherine didn’totherwise Her cheeks flushed with bright color "Forgiveold woman When I spoke with Ted earlier, he sounded utterly …"

"I know exactly what you were hoping Now listen, Catherine, I think you’re one of the randson isn’t half bad"

"But," Catherine said, and her eyes twinkled as she said it "There’s always an exception auered sigh, "yourefforts won’t work"

Catherine’s sraciously accepted defeat "Oh, dear, I’ive aold woman?"

"Of course"

"It’s just that it would do this old heart good if the two of you--" She stopped herself "I’ain, aren’t I? When I prory with herself, Catherine pressed her hands to her cheeks and shook her head sharply "I’d best leave now before I say or do so else equally mindless"

Joy returned to the invitations She wrote the address on one and paused when she noticed that Catherine continued to linger

"Before I go," Catherine said quickly, as though it were iet all the words out as fast as she could, "there’s sorandson, I’d choose you"

Joy’s heart gladdened with this co it would never happen "Thank you, Catherine" It was a sweet thing to say, and at the sah the older woman hadn’t intended it to be that way, it was cruel

Catherine left shortly afterward, and it seemed a sadness had settled over the out the invitations and left her office when Lucille Thompson stopped her Lucille had suffered a stroke a year earlier and had ed with a walker these days, her steps slow and practiced

"Joy," Lucille called, her eyes bright with the love of life "Has the mail arrived?"

"I believe so" Generally it was delivered around noon and tucked into the individualfor a word frohter," Lucille said excitedly "There’s a possibility she ht be able to join me for Christmas"

"That’s wonderful, Lucille"

"I’m on my way up to my room now Would you check my slot for me on the off chance Clarise has written? I’d so love it if we could be together"

"Of course" She watched as Lucille slowly h she’d almost coently to learn to read and write all over again The retired schoolteacher had looked tired just then

Joy dropped off the envelopes and checked Lucille’s h, a fat letter was stuffed inside Rather than sending someone else to Lucille’s room with it, Joy decided to deliver it herself

She waited for the elevator, which see slower all the time Once she saw to Lucille’s letter, Joy decided, she’d call it an afternoon Not that there was any rush to hurry home

The elevator arrived, and she stepped inside The doors had started to close when out of the corner of her eye she saw someone rush across the foyer in an effort to catch it She pushed the button to stop the elevator, and the doors yawned open reluctantly

Ted Griffin stepped inside He seemed even more surprised to see her than she did him

"Hello, Joy," he said smoothly