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“How could it be worse?”

“He could ask ”

“Do you think he’saround?” Estelle whispered, stunned How the hell could I be so blind? She’s been going through hell, and lending me her shoulder like a boss while I continued to take without giving

“I don’t knohat I think I’ot here, and it’s a logical conclusion”

“Don’t even put that into the universe Todd loves you You’re a strong, thoughtful, s hot wife He’d be a fool to throw that away”

“And yet howdo just that?” Jolene asked

“I think you’re playing a guessing game You need to sit down and talk with hiht now are probably a h a lot, too, in the past couple of years Give yourself a break Yourback and forth between the two of us Your father had that stroke last year In a lot of ways, you’re just getting back to a place of nor you so hard”

“You think?” she asked, wiping away her tears “When did you get so wise, little sister?”

“When you gaze into the face of hell, you either go insane or get your shit together I did the crazy thing, so I guess I’”

Jolene laughed, and Estelle cherished the ability to brighten her day

“Let’s talk about hoe’re going to make this better, Jole”

“Yeah, I’ a deep breath as she tucked her brown strands behind her ears and put on her game face

They spent the better part of an hour going back and forth with ideas on how to spice things up

“You knohat I think?” Estelle asked

“What?”