Max took the kids home so I could stop by Abbie’s apartment in town. She still wasn’t answering her phone. Ma sent several plates of food along with me, despite my arguments that Abbie wouldn’t be eating. When I pulled up, her car was there, parked along the street. She lived above a shop in downtown Four Oaks.I sat in my SUV for a moment, gathering my emotions. Abbie and I were opposites. I was a fiery volcano. She was an icy mountain spring. She always held her counsel, maintaining rigid control of herself and everything in her life, even when she was falling apart inside. I tended to fly off all over the place. To act and speak before I thought.But now I needed to temper myself. Be confident and strong for her and watch my tongue, even though I felt like coming apart.Balancing my load of food, I walked up the stairs to her apartment and banged on her door.“Abbie, I know you’re in there. I’ll use my key if you don’t answer.”I heard her steps coming to the door, then the lock turning.I expected her to look bad, but I tried not to gasp at her appearance.
