It was the sort of stillness that had draped itself over her that last terrible night, after everything was over, as if the world around her had stopped breathing. She broke down all at once as she felt it and leaned against the thick trunk of an oak to steady herself. There was no telling how far she’d walked or even where she was exactly, but she was not worried. She longed for Alice Walker, her silent, faithful companion, who had only to push her nose into the space between Nora’s ear and shoulder for her to feel that everything off balance had once again aligned itself. She felt an ache now, thinking of it, and sat down against the tree. For a long time, she sat very still, her eyes closed against the world, and breathed in and out. Her watch said 12:45 a.m. God, was it that late already? She had to get back. She winced, thinking of it. The women would still be up, waiting for her, probably sitting in a row on the couch, hands on their knees, rushing fearfully toward the door when she came in.
