8
Marina was finishing the supper dishes and thinking about the new cafe when the rear kitchen door opened. She looked up, surprised to see her sister Brooke, who had a large bag thrown over her shoulder. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her braided hair was in disarray. Her usually centered younger sister looked like she was having a crisis.
“Hey, Brooke. I didn’t know you were coming over. Has something happened?”
“I just can’t…not anymore...” Brooke pressed her hands over her face. “I didn’t know where else to go. The boys and Chip…they’re driving me crazy.”
Marina left the dishes and hurried to Brooke. “Let me take that bag.” Marina placed it on the floor and hugged Brooke. When she did, her sister broke down, unable to contain her pent-up anguish.
“Oh, Marina, I just couldn’t t
