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from paint colors to bedspreads. Funny, simply hanging a picture myself or opening a jar of jam would serve as a great accomplishment at this point.
    Ella carried Adelaide to the door and smiled back at me. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”
    “Where’s Cheyenne?”
    “Exactly where you want her.”
    “James? Really?”
    She sighed and disappeared down the hallway.

    Gavin held Adelaide and watched Ella make dinner. Southwest stuffed butternut squash. I watched a rerun of Home Improvement while they enjoyed their family, trying to ignore the temptation to stare at them with envy. Ella always said I had it easy, but I felt the same about her. She was successful at everything she did. An amazing violinist and a brilliant entrepreneur. A sweet wife and a gentle mother. And we can’t forget the cooking. Not only did she cook fantastic meals, but she presented them artfully, complete with song and dance.
    She deserved it though.
    I switched the channel to the local news. “Hey, guys. Isn’t that your friend’s husband? Mwenye?”
    Ella and Gavin entered the living room and stood only feet from the television. Gavin wrapped his arm around Ella and pulled her into him. She pressed her lips against the back of her hand and inhaled deeply.
    “Maybe someone should call Tylissa?” I said.
    Without blinking or acknowledging me, Gavin watched the story unfold on the screen. I never understood why reporters seemed excited to release bad news. Didn’t they have even a meager dose of empathy?
    Ella wiped her face on a dish towel and picked up her phone from the fireplace mantle under the television. I motioned to Gavin to take the food out of the oven before it burned, if it hadn’t already. He jogged to the kitchen as Ella paced the living room. “Tylissa, what’s going on? I thought you got a lawyer?” She waited as Tylissa spoke. I couldn’t hear the words. Only crying. “But he’s innocent. You need to do something.” More crying on the other end. “Yes, of course. Wait a week or so. We’ll see you then. I love you.”
    Ella hung up and slapped her phone against her thigh. “I can’t believe this.”
    “What happened?” I said.
    “Mwenye is innocent and if they’d only run some DNA tests they’d see that.”
    “But he said he was guilty.”
    “He’s saying it to protect someone.”
    “Who?”
    “Not my story to tell.”
    “What’s the deal with everyone saying that lately?”
    “Who’s everyone?”
    “Well,” I smiled. “You and Vasili. Is it because you don’t want to gossip or what?”
    “No. Just not my place to say. Sometimes we get so caught up in talking about everyone else’s life story that we forget to live our own. I don’t want to be one of those people who never hesitates to spout off the details of others.”
    “Well said.” I laughed. “Kind of weird that I’m sitting here laughing when Tylissa’s husband was just taken to death row.”
    Ella’s face glowed. “Now you see. Life doesn’t stop for anyone, no matter how much we feel bad for our best friends.”
    Someone knocked on the door. Ella opened it and welcomed James. My heart stopped beating for a few seconds, then started full force. He squeezed my shoulder from behind. “Can we talk?”
    I nodded.
    “Alone. Upstairs.”
    I followed him to my room and sat on the chair in the corner, so that he couldn’t touch me. Kneeling before me, he took my left hand.
    “Sarah,” he said. “I want you. And no one else. Your body doesn’t change who you are to me. Let me love you.” He pulled something out of his pocket. My ring. “Will you please marry me? Please?”
    I shook my head. Hold it together, I petitioned myself. Keep your emotions at bay.
    I pushed his hand toward his chest. “You are one of the most endearing people I’ve ever known, James. It would be an honor to be your wife, but I ca—“
    He pulled me into his arms. I pushed away, but he kept me there. Locked in his warmth. In his love.