Fifty Three

ELLEN

Silence was the new normal. I was treating each of them to their own medicine. I was yet to believe that they had chosen to believe Cole, even after they had found him naked.

I sat on the porch with a book in my hand. It had been so long since I had attended to my writings. I had probably given up on that as well, just as Zach had said.

I heard the door open, and someone walk out of the door. Even without looking behind, I knew who it was from the click of the heels. It was Suzy.

"So, you chose to sit out here on your own than enjoy our company?"

"Well, it depends on what you call company. Listening to you chew noisily isn't so enjoyable after all."

She sighed, and rubbed my arm. "What's going on, Ellen? I thought we were getting along already? What ruined our friendship?"

"It still depends on what you choose to call friendship, Suzy. I barely even know you."

"But, you know what your husband did to my son."

"That isn't enough. That could e