Part 149 (2/2)

edWhy?”

She picked up her cup to give herself time to choose her words. ”Brian

and I shared a great deal. No matter how long it's been, no matter how

much hurt, you don't forget all those feelings.”

”Do you hate him?”

”No. No, of course I don't.”

”And me?”

”Oh, Emma.”

With a quick shake of her head, Emma rose. ”I didn't mean to ask you

that. I didn't mean to bring all of this back. It's just that all at

once I've felt ... unfinished somehow. I don't know what I thought

I would accomplish today.” She stared down at the fire that crackled

sedately in the hearth. ”I went to see Jane.”

Bev's cup clattered against her saucer before she managed to still her

hands. ”Oh.”

With a laugh, Emma dragged at her hair. ”Yes.. ”Oh.” I felt that I had

to, that seeing her would help clear up my feelings. And foolishly,

that I might influence her to put a stop to the film they're making from

her book.” She turned back. ”You can't know what it's like to look at

her, to see her for what she is and know she's my mother.”

”I don't know what to say to you, Emma, but the truth.” She studied Emma

a moment. Perhaps there was something she could do, some small thing to

redeem the mistake she had made all those years ago. She set down her

cup, folded her hands. When she spoke, her voice was very calm and very

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