The days that followed were pure hell for Anne。 After tears; came
selfrecrimination。 She had been naive; she had been irresponsible; she
had been wanton。 She should never have returned to the cabin after the
first week。 She shouldnt even have stayed there then。
Self…recrimination gave way to anger; and she railed on at Mitch for a
while。 She didnt understand how a person could do what he did。 And he
kept calling her! She cringed each time the phone rang and answered only
to avoid visits from her family。 When it was Mitch; she hung up。
Her seclusion was more total than it had been after Jeffs death;
because no one; but no one; knew about Mitch and her。 If her parents
sensed that her reaction to the deposition was extreme; they attributed
it to the final pain of losing Jeff。 She let them believe that; rather
than having to tell them what a fool shed been。
She couldnt begin to think of the future。 Once again; it was a
frightening void。 Each day was a challenge。 Her only hope was in wiping
Mitch from her mind; and it was easier here in New York。 They hadnt
spent time together here。 There were no memories of him here; other than
of the deposition; but; there; he hadnt been the man she loved。
On occasion she thought of Vermont。 Spring would be ing there。 She
would have liked to see the lilacs bloom and smell their fragrance。 So
there was a loss in this; too。
He stopped calling after the first few days; but; try as she might; she
was never able to push him far from mind。 Her father actually mentioned
him one afternoon。
〃I received a call from Mitchell Anderson the other night。 You know; the
head of SEAA?〃
Did she know him? Did she know him!
〃Seems like a nice fellow。 He wanted to make sure you were all right;
since you seemed so upset at the deposition。〃
〃Wasnt that considerate of him;〃 she snipped bitterly。 Guilt feelings。
Good。 Let him suffer 〃How did he know to call you? He doesnt know my
maiden name。〃 But; of course; he could find it out。 He could find out
anything he wanted。 Powerful men got what they wanted without batting an
eyelash。
〃He called Ted first;〃 her father explained。 〃He hesitated to call you
directly; for fear of upsetting you more。〃
〃Wise man。〃 Upsetting me more。 That was cute。