More than the Sum Read Online Free PDF

had to laugh when it dawned on her that she must look like her own lost twin.  Jeanne spoke first, “Okay, I give up.  Who are you, really?  I have a neighbor who looks like you, but I have never seen her step outside without looking like she was going to a photo shoot,”  When Brittany didn’t answer, she asked,  “What’s up?  You okay?” 
    Brittany felt hot tears forming behind her eyelids, and before she could stop herself, blurted out the cold, hard truth, “Jeanne, Craig left me for somebody else!”  Quickly recovering her composure, she looked around to see who else might have been in earshot, thankfully, no one was.
    The shock registered on her friend’s face.  “He who?  Craig?  What?  No!  You’ve got to be kidding me.No, you aren’t—I know you too well.”  Jeanne was stammering, trying to think of what to say. “Randy and I have been wondering where you were.  We thought maybe you had decided to go away for a few days.”  She paused, to look at her friend.  “I think I’m going to be sick.”  It was Jeanne’s turn to tear up.
    Brittany nodded.  “Jeanne, it’s all so humiliating. .”  The tears spilled over. J eanne had no adequate response; she was still trying to process the startling information because it made no sense. 
    Brittany started moving away, explaining, “I need to get moving. I have nothing in the house to eat and I’m starving, so that must mean I want to live.”  She smiled wanly.  “I’m still in shock, but I’m okay.” 
    Jeanne nodded. “Brittany, I’m making potato soup for dinner tonight; and the cheese scones you love, so don’t even think about what to fix for dinner. Let me take care of your dinners for a while.”  She added, “And don’t forget, Randy will do anything for you. He loves you like family—we both do.  All you have to do is ask us…”  She trailed off, having run out of things to say.
    Brittany gave her a hug, “I know that, and it’s a comfort for me to have you nearby. Craig mentioned my selling the house, but I don’t want to move, so I’m going to need Randy’s help to help me figure out how what I need to do to stay in it.”  Brittany could tolerate the inevitable memories that came with staying in the house as long as she had them next door. They were the best neighbors anyone could have. 
    “ Well, Randy and I will certainly help you. We don’t want to lose you!  I collect 'Do Not Disturb' signs from the hotels we stay in when we travel.  I’ll give you one so you can hang it on the door if you don’t want to see me.”   That made Brittany laugh and she added, “Well, I think I’ll make another sign that says, ‘Disturb Me’ so you can tell when I need you.”  Jeanne gave her friend’s hand a squeeze to assure her she and Randy would be there for her.
    “ I’m ready to establish what my new normal will be.”   Brittany offered, forcing a smile.  “While it is awful, he is being generous with the financial end of things; reading between the lines of what little he told me, I think he might be marrying into some money.  For me, the good part is that I don’t have to make any life-changing decisions for a while. Thank God for that.”
    Jeanne and Randy were strong in their faith. She wished she had some faith of her own to fall back on.
    “ I’ll fill you in on the rest tomorrow.  And, I appreciate the soup.” 
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    The house was unbelievably quiet. Exercising her newly found individuality she decided to go to the animal shelter and adopt a kitten. Craig was allergic to cats so that had not been an option up until now.
    The idea of adopting a pet was, in theory, far easier than actually procuring it was, requiring as much paper work as her divorce had. But, despite a strong dose of agitation at the inefficiencies of the poorly managed shelter, Brittany was ecstatic when she later walked to her car with a steel gray kitten that she had been assured