She is his attack dog.
Was she more than that?
Why would she be so fond of me, though?
And what was I seeing on their faces at the dinner we just had? Nothing seems to make sense now.
The waiting is painful.
“Julie is Anna’s daughter.”
I look at him, thunderstruck.
Think, Elizabeth. Think.
I wish it were that simple.
What?
Wait, what again?
Is she…? How is she…?
Why is he…?
“That’s it?”
He nods.
“I wanted you to know this because you would have eventually found out.”
My mouth hangs open.
“Why, um…?”
I pause while he waits for me to continue.
“What about her father? Isn’t there a father?” I ask, not knowing exactly what I’m asking.
He takes a long breath.
“Yes, there was a father. They both died in a car accident. She was killed instantly. He died a few hours later at the hospital.”
“Did you get the chance to talk to him?”
“He was unconscious. So no.”
He looks at the ceiling for a moment.
“There was something else. We weren’t on speaking terms when that happened. And no one had notified me.”
He brings his gaze back to me. And I just know that behind his calm expression, more things are to be shared.
“Did you know him?”
He nods.
“Is he the man she left you for?”