Then she whispered my name.
“David?”
I nodded.
“Hello, Anna.”
She stared at me.
Then she covered her mouth with her hand.
“Oh my God.”
I expected her to ask about my life.
Instead, the first thing she said was:
“Carol is dead.”
It wasn’t a question.
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Anna closed her eyes.
She looked down at the floor.
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
She opened the door wider.
“Come inside.”
I followed her into the house.
We sat across from each other in a quiet living room.
For several minutes, neither of us knew what to say.
Finally, I said, “Carol told me to find you.”
Anna looked at me.
“I know.”
My stomach tightened.
“You know?”
She nodded slowly.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time.”
I leaned forward.
“What does that mean?”
Anna looked toward the window.
“Did Carol tell you anything?”
“She said I would understand everything after I found you.”
Anna closed her eyes.
“Of course she did.”
“What did she mean?”
Anna didn’t answer immediately.
Then she said ]something that made my entire body go cold.
“Your wife and I met before you and I ever saw each other again.”
