Because that’s what a family does.
And Susan was part of my family.
Robert always received her at our house without hesitation.
He accompanied us at Thanksgiving dinners, birthdays, Christmas celebrations and quiet Sunday afternoons.
Sometimes I would go through the house just for coffee and chat.
He even had his own key.
I knew our daily routines, knew where we kept the spare bedding and in which kitchen closet Robertās favorite cups were.
I never thought it was strange.
After all, it was Susan.
The girl who shared her sandwiches with me in elementary school.
The woman who had been by my side at every difficult stage of my life.
The friend I trusted for forty-two years.
Then Robert passed away.
And my whole world changed.
Losing him left a void that he could not explain.
