A Journey by Chance by Sally John Page B

child. She was in fact her equal, as any friend. But was it right to burden her, inflict doubts that might be groundless? No…but she had to be honest. “Of course it’s difficult, all his traveling. I hate it, actually. I miss him, but it won’t be this way forever. He can retire soon, you know.”
    â€œIs he coming for your reunion?”
    Maggie thought how he had made it only once out of the three times she had attended. Why would he come for this one? “We should hear from him today. It depends on some meeting schedule. Now I’m changing the subject. Aunt Marsha thinks that Lauren doesn’t know you’ve lost your job. Haven’t you told her?”
    Gina frowned. “Not exactly.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI just don’t want to talk about it with anyone yet! I’d only cry.”
    â€œHoney, maybe it’s time you do cry over it.”
    Gina looked out the window.
    Maggie pressed her lips together to stop exasperation from coating her next words. “Even when you were a little girl, you always bottled things inside until eventually you’d just burst over some insignificant frustration. Wouldn’t you rather burst with your cousin than with,” she waved her arm, “oh, I don’t know. Rather than with the librarian when you’re upset about not being able to get online?”
    Gina raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry about it, Mother.”
    â€œWell, I will.” Just leave it alone. They’d had similar conversations. She took a breath. “You could save it until you’remy age. Then you can just burst all over the place. Laugh and cry and buy wild purple dresses with great splashes of red flowers and not give a hoot about what anyone else thinks. Want to see it?”
    Her daughter smiled. “See what? You burst all over the place?”
    â€œYou’ve seen that. No, I mean my dress.”
    â€œI’d love to see your dress.”

Thirteen
    Gina stood in Aunt Lottie’s kitchen, coiled phone cord stretched across it to reach the sink where she stared unseeing out the window. She listened patiently to her father’s voice on the other end of the line. He spoke in his curt business tone, which comforted her because she knew it meant her problems were on his agenda. He would take care of things.
    â€œIf word hadn’t leaked that Delilah was dead, we may not have known in time. But Ben was ready for a confrontation.” Ben was her attorney. “He showed up on their doorstep with the vet and a court order. There was obvious evidence of neglect, perhaps of abuse.”
    â€œOne and the same,” she muttered.
    â€œAt any rate, based on that combined with your testimony, Ben thinks you have a case now. He can prove the Park’s negligence was a direct cause of your injury. He’s filed already. You’re suing for 25 million.”
    â€œTwenty-five million?!” she exclaimed.
    â€œWe know you’re not interested in the money, but it’ll get their attention, encourage them to move on it. He needs to schedule your deposition. Once your story’s recorded, they’ll want to settle out of court as quickly as possible. When can you come?”
    â€œDad, can’t it wait until after the wedding?”
    â€œIt’s best to move on it. They won’t want any more bad publicity than they’re getting now. We need to seize this opportunity.”
    She closed her eyes. “Tonight’s the shower. Tomorrow—”
    â€œGina, don’t give me your schedule. How about a week from next Monday or Tuesday?”
    She squeezed the phone between her chin and shoulder, then crossed her arms tightly over her midsection. Lunch rumbled in her stomach. “For how long?”
    â€œJust a few days.” His voice softened. “We won’t let you miss the wedding, honey.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œOkay. Let me talk to your mother.”
    â€œHey, are