Amala moved unsteadily toward a chair and sat down as that inner trembling reached her extremities and she found herself shaking violently. The truth of Paulina’s words assaulted her with the force of a strong wind, the kind that could uproot trees and overturn all that might lie in its path.

“And what about Henry?” she muttered in a quivering voice.

“What about Henry?” Paulina countered, but Amala couldn’t find words to clarify her question. Seeming to sense this, Paulina said, “I have no idea where his head is in regard to you, other than his obvious avoidance of the matter entirely. Whatever the future might bring for the two of you is something you’ll both have to discuss when the time is right. But I can assure you, my dear, he is every bit as angry as you are. It’s my belief that neither of you can make peace with Kat’s death until you both recognize how utterly furious you are with her.”

Amala put a hand over her mouth as the shock wave of truth rushed out of her with a painful sob, followed by another, and another. Paulina scooted her chair closer to Amala and put her arms around her, encouraging her to just let it all out and cry as hard and as long as she needed to.

* * * *

Henry sat down to share tea with Oliver and Viola, wondering where Amala and Paulina might be. Since he’d brought Harry with him, they were all distracted by the baby’s antics while he grabbed at things he shouldn’t have, then promptly pushed a biscuit into his mouth when it was placed into his chubby little hand. When Harry became quietly distracted by his biscuit, Henry asked, “Where are the others?”

He saw Oliver and Viola exchange a concerned glance before Oliver said, “Lekha went in search of Amala, since she’d not seen her for hours. She found her in Kat’s room, and Paulina is with her. She told us that Amala is very upset, and Paulina asked Lekha to let us know that they wouldn’t be joining us for tea.”

Viola dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “I just hope Paulina might be able to help her get to the heart of whatever is holding her back.”

“I hope so too.” Oliver took his wife’s hand. “They are very close; I’ve been hoping Paulina could help her.”

“Perhaps Paulina’s extra sense will help her know what to do,” Viola added, then took a deep breath to compose herself and focus on pouring out the tea.

Henry didn’t comment, but he felt a tangible ache in the center of his chest over their concern for Amala. He shared their concern completely, but he could hardly help her when he could barely get through any given day without being continually tempted to break something or fly into a rage. Harry had a soothing effect on him and helped keep his self-discipline in check. The tears he shed while alone at night and during his long, brisk rides every day were likely helping to keep him sane. But he knew he couldn’t go on like this forever. He just didn’t know what to do about it.