She’d showered and dressed, but she still felt tired. Suze and Dorie were sitting at the table with a plate of pastries occupying the space between them; a trail of crumbs led to Suze’s plate. Van crossed to the coffeepot and poured herself a cup. “Sleep well?” Dorie asked. “Like the dead.” Van pulled out a chair and sat down. “I heard you go out,” Suze said. She shrugged. “I’m having a little trouble sleeping myself these days.” “I heard you, too.” Dorie half smiled and Van couldn’t tell if she was trying not to smile or couldn’t manage a decent one. “I wasn’t sneaking away if that’s what you were afraid of.” Dorie looked at the ceiling. Suze took a huge bite of a jelly donut. The jelly oozed onto the plastic tablecloth. “I wasn’t,” Van said. “I know. I watched you from the window just to make sure you didn’t try.” Van coughed out a laugh. “What were you going to do if I was leaving? Throw yourself under the wheels of my rental car?”
