Amala sighed, determined to make the most of every minute her aunt chose to remain here and to not to let her departure be as upsetting as it had been for her at times in the past.

“Enough about me for now, my precious girl. You must tell me what ails you. And I’ll not settle for the barely truthful explanations you’ve been giving everyone else. I’m your auntie, and you know I’ll keep your secrets. You do have secrets, don’t you?” It was not a question, which reminded Amala how unnerving Kat's extra sense could be at times. “The others might not see it, but I knew as soon as my brother told me your ‘symptoms.’ This is not something physical that ails you, even if it makes you ache and consumes you with exhaustion. This is a broken heart if I’ve ever seen one. And yet I’m told there have been no gentlemen suitors. So a secret it must be. What have you been up to, and why has it come to such a dreadful outcome that would put someone so strong and willful into this devastating state?”

Amala’s tears came again, if only to hear the truth of her situation voiced so accurately. To not feel alone, to feel heard and understood—even without having said a word—warmed her so deeply that she could only cry once again in her auntie’s arms. But Paulina seemed to have expected such a response, and she was well prepared with a handkerchief tucked into each of her sleeves. Her feminine embrace felt safe and secure. The shoulder Amala cried on felt strong and able to share any burden, and her tender words of comfort and reassurance filled Amala with strength.

A knock at the door startled Amala, but Paulina came to her feet and said, “It’s all right. Just hide yourself in the bed for a moment. I asked that breakfast be brought here for the both of us and told the family I’d be spending the morning seeing to my niece and her ‘illness’.”

Amala did as she’d been told and quickly lay back down with her back to the door, pulling the sheet up to cover most of her face in order to hide any evidence of all the sobbing she’d been doing. She heard Paulina conversing kindly with Pearl, who brought in a tray and set it on the table near the window. Paulina assured Pearl that she would take care of Amala for the morning, and Pearl said she would be available if they needed anything at all. Amala knew Pearl had been concerned, and she’d been nearby to help with little things when Amala needed them. Perhaps Pearl too sensed that Amala’s ailment was more emotional than physical, but they weren’t close enough to discuss such things. Which made Amala all the more grateful for Paulina’s timely visit and her insight in making it possible for them to spend this time together.