Henrietta said to Red as they sat together eating leftover clam chowder for their lunch, “all that time I was trying to teach you how to live alone and really take care of yourself, I was teaching myself, too. Do you make sure you have at least one hot meal a day?” “Mostly.” “I do only because I told you to,” Henrietta confessed. “Even so, I often have to invite someone else over to make myself cook.” “Miss James says it’s easier to live alone if you always have,” Red said. “I suppose it is. She’s very fond of you, you know.” Red didn’t respond. “Red, you need to know people care about you. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. This is your community.” Red looked at her skeptically. “Why didn’t you come to the funeral?” “You had enough help, didn’t you?” Red asked. “Oh, help, yes, but that isn’t what I meant.” “Sadie’s telling everyone it was my fault.” “Where did you hear that?” Henrietta asked. Red shrugged. “Sadie’s naturally upset,”
