“Probably not now. If I want to keep volunteering, it wouldn’t really be fair. And I imagine my psychologist would recommend against it during these volatile times.”

“One—why? And two—you’re still seeing that psych?”

“Yeah, I am. Alec, I don’t know, messed with my head. I feel better—” At Lisa’s raised eyebrows, Cora rolled her eyes. “I really, really do. But I just want to, I don’t know, make sure I stay that way.”

Lisa rested her hand on her forearm. “I think that’s a great idea.” She squeezed. “But seriously, no dog?”

“Not for now.”

Lisa’s shoulders slumped. “Oh.”

“So disappointed?”

“I was excited for you to get a puppy. Then it could be mine by extension.”

“I definitely wouldn’t have time for a puppy, Lise.”

“All dogs are puppies, Cora. Until the day they die.”

“Okay, fine. But still, I don’t think I can. Why don’t you get one?”

“My mum’s allergic.”

Her mother who was in a home in twenty-four-hour care. “Were you thinking of having her come to stay with you?”

Lisa picked at the bread of her roll. “I don’t know. I feel bad, putting her in a home. It’s so against her culture.”

“She seemed happy when we went.” And Cora didn’t know how she felt about her friend becoming her mother’s full-time carer. The sacrifice that would require on Lisa’s part, as she had no money to employ someone to help out and her siblings were no longer in Perth to give a hand. It was different than taking in someone who was still partially independent. Lisa’s mother required full-time, around-the-clock care.

“She is happy now. She’s in her own world. I suppose I’m thinking more of myself.”

Cora gave a disbelieving laugh. “Yes. You’re so selfish, thinking of taking your mum in full-time.”

Lisa gave her a sheepish smile. “Yeah, yeah. She is happy there. Maybe I should get a dog—a tiny one.”

“Gross.”

“They’re the best kind.”

“If you say so.” Cora bit into her roll, chewing and swallowing before she continued. “But I’m all for the dog. Then I get a dog by extension.”

“I see what you did there.”

“I’m crafty.”

“Are you going to call Frazer?”

Cora almost choked on her next bite. She coughed loudly until Lisa passed her a glass of water with a bemused look on her face. Through watering eyes, Cora asked, “Why would I do that?”

“Because, I don’t know, you like her. And if not that, why can’t you be friends now?”

Cora wiped at her mouth with her napkin as she tried to figure out how to explain it. “It feels done, somehow. Like, she clearly wanted out, and I can’t blame her, and now it’s been over a month since we even talked. There are some things better left alone.”