Pretense by Lori Wick Page B

but by the time Marrell was ready to leave, the ties were back in place.
    "What will you do with yourself for the rest of the day?"
    "Take a long walk," Shay told her, "and then cry the rest of the afternoon."
    Marrell nodded and hugged her.
    "I'll see you Tuesday night."
    "Yes. I'll come right from the office."
    Marrell turned with a wave, but not before Shay called to her.
    "Next time you come, I'll actually make you that espresso."
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    Four
    Marrell had been gone for only 20 minutes when Shay's landlady, who also lived below her,knocked on the door. Shay's plan had been to walk and then cry; it hadn't worked that way. As soon as Rose Cumberland saw her face, she knew something was wrong. Keeping her tone casual, she said, "Here's the bowl I borrowed."
    "Oh, thanks, Rose. I have my rent check for you if you can wait a second."
    "Sure."
    The landlady stood patiently, her heart in quiet contemplation over what she'd seen on Shay's face. The lady in question was back just minutes later, and it was then that Rose noticed her running shoes and shorts.
    "Are you off for a run?"
    "Just a walk."
    "I haven't gone today. Do you want company?"
    Before Shay could answer, the phone rang. She turned and looked at it, but made herself look away.
    "Can you go now?" She sounded almost frightened.
    "Yeah. I just need to change my shoes."
    Shay gave a decisive nod, grabbed her keys, and followed Rose out the door.
    Marrell could not get her arms around Paul fast enough. He met her at the front door, and as soon as the door was shut, she hugged him. The girls were trying to talk to her, but she just held on tight. Mackenzie and Delancey eventually wandered back to the living room, leaving their parents in the foyer.
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    "Bad time?" he whispered in her ear.
    "Yes and no. I'll have to tell you later."
    It was several more moments before Marrell moved back enough to see his face.
    "We're not going to divorce, Paul Bishop," she said, her voice low and urgent. "And we're not going to cheat on each other."
    Paul laid his forehead against hers. If the girls hadn't been in the next room, he might have tried to question her, but he would have to wait. He knew she'd been upset over Shay's divorce, but it must have been worse than either of them had suspected.
    "Mom," Delancey finally got through; she had been calling from the living room. "Where did you go?"
    Marrell made herself turn and address her. "To my friend's house," she answered patiently, even though she had already told them where she was going before she left. "You'll meet her on Tuesday when she comes to dinner."
    Marrell glanced at Paul when she said this and watched him nod.
    "What's her name?"
    "Shay. Mrs. Elliot to you."
    "Who's Mrs. Elliot?" Mackenzie wanted to know.
    "A friend of mine."
    "Does she have kids?"
    "No," Marrell answered and changed the subject before they could go on. "What did you two do today? Did you take good care of Daddy?"
    Delancey came uncorked, but Mackenzie was oddly quiet. The younger girl rattled on about something they had watched on TV. Marrell waited until she was finished and then asked Mackenzie how she was doing. She only shrugged in response. Marrell turned questioning eyes to Paul.
    "D.J. broke Micki's Barbie Jeep. It's not completely ruined, but it has a big crack."
    Marrell turned compassionate eyes to her oldest daughter. "I'm sorry, Micki. Did you cry?"
    She hadn't, but tears that had been squelched then now filled her eyes. She came into her mother's arms, and Paul, with a hand to Delancey's back, took the other little girl from the room.
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    Marrell, dressed in nice slacks and a blouse, never hesitated. She sank down to hold Mackenzie right where they were.
    "I don't like it when you're gone all morning," Mackenzie admitted when she could talk, her nose still drippy.
    "I know, but I had a good time, and I haven't seen my friend in a long time. In fact, she offered me a job in her office, but I told her no because I wanted to be home with my