Weeks passed and cartons of cigarettes came and went, but all that changed was the darkening of the stains covering the walls. Whatever needed to happen was not happening fast enough and the little money Therese had managed to save for their new home was slowly dwindling to nothing. Therese decided she needed a new plan, and it came to her early one morning when she woke, gagging. It was what everyone needed to feel complete.

To be part of a set.

They had not seen each other in months, so Joan seemed surprised when Therese called and suggested lunch. She was tired of standing outside of movie theaters, lingering around park benches, and sitting through poetry readings at the library in search of a companion for Barbara. Lunch with Joan at the hospital cafeteria was her last resort, and she looked around to see if there was anyone she might have missed since sitting down.

“Things have been kind of rough for me.” Joan took a bite out of the sandwich she had cut into four triangles.

“What’s going on?” Therese eyed an elderly woman sitting three tables away.

“What are you looking at?”

“Who is that woman?” Therese asked, tossing her head to the right.

“Bessie? She comes here all the time. I think she’s a widow.”

“Really?” Therese slapped a packet of sugar against the edge of the table.

“Why are you so interested?”

Therese shrugged. “No reason. Just curious.”

“Not sure you two would have much in common.”

“Why’s that?” She ripped open the packet and poured it into her tea.

“Because she had a stroke six months ago and can’t talk.”

Therese muttered something under her breath.

“What was that?” Joan asked, breaking a large chocolate chip cookie in half.

“Nothing. Never mind. So how are you?”

“I’m great.” She pursed her lips like she was sucking something sour. “It’s one thing living with my mother, but now that she’s invited my aunt to live with us, it’s just too much. I can’t stand it.”

Therese felt heat creep into her face. It started in the back of her neck and quickly moved in around her ears, and she recognized the sensation immediately.

Shame.

For allowing herself even a lingering moment of doubt when what she should have done was trust her instincts. She folded a napkin and used it to fan herself. “What’s she like?”

“Awful. I can’t take much more of her.”

Therese took a deep breath and despite the plastic wrap smell of the cafeteria, felt invigorated.

“Why don’t you tell me more about your aunt?” She reached over and took the other half of the chocolate chip cookie from Joan’s hand.