Consolation or Getting Even
A small tear began to form at the corner of Arlene's left eye and then it slowly wriggled down her cheek, gathering speed from gravity but changing direction at the cheekbone and bypassing the beauty mark. It fell onto her shoulder. Janice's hand lightly touched Arlene's forearm in a signal of consolation. Their eyes met. And suddenly the conversation was over. Hand in hand, they walked side by side toward the staircase, toward the second level of Arlene's home, toward the unmade bed where...