Opal selected the bedroom overlooking the garden, and I converted Trevor’s former office into my workspace.
On our first Sunday, we prepared chicken pot pie.
As I set two plates on the table, I remembered how Opal used to leave meals waiting for me without mentioning it.
“Can I call you Mama Opal?” I asked.
She covered her mouth with one hand.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
We embraced for a long time.
I also remained in contact with Russell after his professional involvement ended.
Initially, we met occasionally for coffee. Eventually, those meetings became walks and conversations that had nothing to do with financial investigations or legal proceedings.
Russell wasn’t some rescuer arriving to rebuild my life.
He came to know me after I’d already begun reclaiming it myself.
Over time, our friendship became romantic.
Opal complained that Russell was overly serious and needed dancing lessons.
