“Why didn’t you write to let me know you were coming?” he asked, still clasping the doorknob.
She fought back her angst. “I thought I would surprise you. May I come in?”
He rubbed bristles on his chin, and then lowered his head, as if he’d become self-conscience of his appearance. “Of course,” he said, stepping aside.
She retrieved her luggage and entered with Nia.
He closed the door, bolted the lock, and then turned to her, placing his hands to his sides.
He’s making no effort to embrace me.Her heart sank.
“Please, have a seat,” Max said. “I’ll prepare us some coffee.”
“Coffee would be nice,” Anna said, despite the growing ache in her abdomen. She put down her luggage and sat at a kitchen table.
“How was your train trip?” Max asked, gliding his hand over the counter to locate a tin container.
“Gut.”
Nia padded to Anna and lowered her chin to her lap.
“I’ve missed you, Nia,” Anna said, running her fingers through her fur.
“She’s missed you, too.” Max poured grinds into a coffeepot and, using his finger as a gauge, added water from a ceramic pitcher.
Anna struggled with what to say, and so did Max, given his focus on preparing the coffee. So, she played with Nia until the brew was ready.
Max placed two cups on the table and sat across from her.
Anna took a sip. “It’sgut.”
“I’m using Norbie’s bark coffee recipe.”
“He’d be pleased to hear that,” she said.
“How is he?”
“He’s well, and he wanted me to tell youhallofor him.”
He nodded, and then sipped his drink.
Anna stared at him, thin and haggard.He looks exhausted.A mixture of fear and sorrow swelled inside her. She squeezed her cup. “How long have you been ill?”
Max’s shoulders slumped. “Is it that obvious?”
“Ja,” she said. “How long?”
“A while.”
Her chest tightened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry about me.”
“You should have apprised me of your health,” she said. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are,” he said.
“But friends confide in each other. Friends help each other in times of need.”
