One thing she knew, she would encourage Ginny not to make any major decisions for the first year and preferably two. She knew too many widows who regretted major decisions like selling a place, or moving, or marrying again. There were gold diggers, gigolos out there who preyed on grieving women, milked them dry, and moved on. Or lived off their new wife.

She could hear Spook announcing her arrival from inside the house. She found the house key under the third pot from the steps as Sam had told her and knocked. With no answer, she let herself in the door to a dog overjoyed to see her.

She dropped her purse on the floor and petted and calmed the dog. “You want to go outside?” Spook immediately put his nose to the screen door. “Good boy.” She let him out, and set her purse down on the sofa. “Ginny? Ginny, are you here?” With no answer, she checked the master bedroom. Empty, the bed made, and everything spotless. Fred’s office and the guest room were the same. “Ginny, where are you?”

She found her downstairs in the twin bed she’d slept in because of the smoke. The other bed was all made up as Amalia had left it. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she laid a hand on Ginny’s hip. “Ginny, it’s me, Roxie.” She shook gently. “Come on, I know you can hear me. I let Spook out. Did you feed him this morning? What about the chickens and the animals? Ginny, if you can hear me, you have to respond or I will call 911.”

“I hear you.” Her voice was scratchy. “Now go away.”

“No, I’m here and you’re stuck with me. Remember, I’ve been in the same position you are. Like Amalia. We do know how you feel.”

“Just leave me alone.” Ginny sniffed and snagged a tissue from the mound between her and the wall. “Please.” Her voice broke on the “please.”

Roxie fought the tears, then gave up and reached for the tissue box. Empty. “Where do you keep your tissues?”

“Bathroom.”

Roxie patted her friend’s hip and fetched another box from under the sink. Better a big box than the small square ones. Pulling one out for herself, she set the box on the nightstand. “Have you had anything to eat today? Drink?” The water bottle on the stand was empty. “Where’s your recycle? No, I’ll just go fill this one.” Another trip to the bathroom. She could hear Spook at the door upstairs. “I’m coming.” Up the stairs, let the dog in, refill his water dish, coffeepot was empty, no grounds in the basket so she went ahead and started coffee. How much easier a Keurig was. She’d have coffee to take back down immediately.

Instead she poured some orange juice out of the pitcher and took the glass back downstairs. She’d get fluids into her friend one way or another.

Ginny had not moved.

Forcing cheer into her voice, Roxie set the glass of juice on the nightstand. “Okay, my friend, roll over here and let’s talk.”