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She knew she was depressed Miles kept asking her to “see someone ” He didn’t understand how deep this new darkness in her ran and how afraid she was to let go of it She didn’t want to get better Really, she just wanted to be left alone On the rare day when she even thought about trying, she told herself that Zach needed her, that Miles needed her, that she’d always thought of herself as a strong woman, but the words were like snapshots found in a drawer that showed a stranger’s life Impossible to care about

Now, she and Miles were out on the back patio, pretending to be the couple they’d been before

Miles was in the lounge chair beside her, with his feet stretched out In his lap lay an open newspaper, but she kneasn’t really reading it They all tended to avoid the news these days; there was always a story about drunk driving so at her, but she didn’t aze

Instead, she counted the o back to bed She was holding Mia’s unset, unfinished ring in her hand She did that a lot lately, just held it

“You should put that away,” Miles said There was a taint of irritation in his voice that had become familiar

“And go on,” Jude said “Yeah I know ”

“This can’t continue,” he said, raising his voice

She was startled by the volueon voice for people ork for you ”

“You’re letting it drown you Us ”

“It ” She finally turned to hi? How disappointing for you ”

Miles tightened his jaw “Enough I’uy who didn’t love Mia enough because I can still somehow love my son and my wife You need help You need to start ”

“Start what? Forgetting her?”

“Letting go It’s not healthy to keep hanging on to her Zach needs you I need you ”

“And there it is The real point You miss your wife, so I better toe the line ”

“Da I’ to lose us ”