Once in Every Life

Tess shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. Suddenly

she remembered Jack's words: Be nice to them. She

thought of all the times Amarylis had undoubtedly been

rude to this nice woman, and Tess winced. Please don't

hold her against me. Not now. I need a friend so much....

"No," Minerva said quietly. "I don't believe he would

either." Minerva forced a lackluster smile. "Not that that'll

help you much."

Tess sighed. "I don't even know why I'm here. I guess I thought you could help me think of something to do. Anything. I can't just sit around that house and do nothing while he rots in jail for a crime he didn't commit."

Minerva's gaze dropped. She stared thoughtfully at her coffee for a long time. Slowly she looked up. "I'm sorry, Lissa."

Tess bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling. Tiredly she pushed to her feet. "Well?" Her voice sounded thick with tears, so she cleared her throat. "Well, if you think of anything, I'll be at home."

Minerva got to her feet. "I'm sure he'll realize he didn't do it and tell Ed the truth."

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Tess nodded stiffly. "I'm sure you're right." But as she gazed into Minerva's caring blue-gray eyes, Tess faltered. The words were a lie. Jack would never recant.

Minerva opened her arms. Squeezing her eyes shut, Tess stumbled forward, letting herself be enfolded in the comforting warmth of her friend's embrace.

The next morning Tess was wakened by someone banging hard on the front door. ~"~~

"Lissa! Open the door. Lissa!"

Tess stumbled out of bed and threw on her wrapper. The wooden floor felt icy cold beneath her bare feet as she staggered through the house.

The banging came again. Harder. Thud. Thud. "Lissa!"

"I'm coming." The words eked from her mouth in a mangled, morning-harsh slur. At the door, she paused to rub her tired, aching eyes, knowing they were still puffy and red from a restless night. Plastering a smile on her face, she opened the door.

Minerva, Jim, and Ed Warbass were standing on her

porch.

Tess gasped. It was all a mistake. She had a flash of hope so strong it left her breathless. Then she looked in Ed's solemn eyes, and the hope vanished.

Minerva thrust a shotgun at Tess. "I found this in the barn last night."

Tess shoved a tangled lock of hair from her eyes. "Oh." She eyed the long, ugly weapon. "Nice."

"It's Benjamin and Harvey's gun?"

"Our boys," Jim interjected.

Tess looked back and forth between Minerva and Jim. She could tell something was going on?something important?but frankly she was tired as hell and she'd

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cried half the night and she didn't feel like hearing about the boys' gun. "Look, Minerva, I?"