Page 62 of Breaking
Dani exhaling shakily, "I was thinking about Sasha again. I miss her so much, Jenna."
The devastating accident was not too long ago-it felt like Sasha was gone in a flash of tragedy that still was hard to believe.
Dani whispered, voice trembling "She was so happy, so... herself before it happened. I remember her teasing me about a friend, a boy. I feel like I'm forgetting the sound of her voice."
Jenna reached for Dani's hand "You're not forgetting. Talking about her keeps that memory alive. She was stubborn, fearless, and she lived on her own terms."
Dani continued, eyes misted "She really did. It's just-sometimes I wish I had more time, you know?"
"I get it." Jenna said "But trust me, she was that woman we all wanted to be-happy, independent, always ready to take on the world. She loved you fiercely."
Dani squeezed Jenna's hand, tears finally slipping down her cheeks. "Thank you for reminding me. It helps, knowing who she really was before... she just disappeared."
Jenna nodded, heart aching for Dani's loss.
After Dani turned in for the night, and Dylan vanished to his room to listen to music, Jenna found herself alone on the living room couch. Her phone chimed-Troy again. Lately, his texts arrived daily, an ironic twist- given that during their final years of marriage, he rarely took the time to string more than three words together.
She opened the messages:
*Went to the assessment again. The doc mentioned interviews & old records. They used the term 'multi-disciplinary'-still not sure what all that means. I have made a list of questions for the next visit. *
*Been reading from that site you had sent me-about adult autism. Scary but also explains some stuff. *
*Love you, Jenna*
Jenna felt a pang of bitterness at the last line. Love you, Jenna. He'd withheld those words when she needed them most, and now they flashed on her phone screen as if the timing no longer mattered. She typed a curt reply:
*Glad you're following through. Take care of yourself. *
She put down the phone, exhaling a shaky breath. The anger that flared within her was something she couldn't quite quell.
"Why now, Troy?" she thought. "Where was all this communication when I was right there?
Chapter 51
Jenna
The house next door, once adorned with a 'For Sale' sign, now bore the bright red letters of 'SOLD'. Jenna, kneeling in the garden, wiped the sweat from her brow as she glanced over at the house. Mrs. Humphreys had lived there for years, her presence a fixture of the neighbourhood, and now someone new was moving in.
Grace leaned over the divider between their semi-detached houses, arms folded as she surveyed the sign. "Wonder who it'll be," she mused.
Jenna shrugged, pushing her spade into the soil. "Hopefully quiet people. We share a wall. That can be... problematic."
Grace snorted. "Tell me about it. If it's another young couple with a drum set, I'm moving."
Over the next few weeks, they watched as the new occupants came and went. A young couple, both in their thirties, were often spotted around the property. The husband was tall and lean, his blond hair catching the light as he offered friendly smiles to passersby. His wife, on the other hand, was a striking woman with a sleek blond bob and an air of efficiency that made Jenna uneasy. She was always giving instructions-to workmen, delivery drivers, even to her husband. She reminded Jenna of Lila. They didn't seem to have children, but their house was abuzz with activity. Painters worked on the exterior, plumbers came in and out, and removals vans brought in boxes by the dozen.
Jenna kept her distance, offering polite nods when their paths crossed but making no effort to engage. She had enough on her plate without getting involved in the lives of strangers.
Then, one evening, as she watered her flower beds, Adam-Rhiann's father-walked up her driveway. His usual easy smile was in place, though there was something softer in his eyes.
"Hey, Jenna. Just in the area and thought I'd say hi."
Jenna smiled, setting the watering can aside. "Nice to see you, Adam. How's Rhian?"
"Oh, you know how teenagers are. She and Dani are excited about their class trip next month. They won't stop talking about it."
Jenna chuckled. "I heard all about it from Dani too. They've been counting down the days. Where are they going again?"
