Bracha rubbed a hand over her eyes. “Pretending that everything is normal is the only thing that keeps me sane”

Dini watched Bracha’s back as she retreated to the bathroom to wash her face. She crumpled her empty cup of water. What should she say when Bracha came out? Assure her that she’s here to listen? Offer to leave?

Her laptop screen was still open to the campaign logos. Mindlessly, she scrolled up and down the page. Maybe Bracha would prefer she quietly slip out now? No, that would make it even more uncomfortable the next time they met.

Dini opened her email. A new one from Ayala. Subject: About the meeting…. Dini frowned. Those ellipses didn’t look too good. But she couldn’t focus on that now.

Behind her, Bracha cleared her throat. Dini glanced up.

“You okay?” she asked hesitantly.

Bracha raised an eyebrow. “You mean you didn’t notice that I just bawled my eyes out on your shoulder? Phew, and here I was feeling really awkward—”

Dini laughed in relief. At least she sounded like herself now.

“Less stupid question: Want to talk about it?”

Bracha sat down next to Dini and leaned her head back on the cushion. She stared into space for a few moments. Dini slowly rotated her bracelets around her wrist.

“Yeah. I think I do.”

Dini looked up, but Bracha was still staring at the ceiling. She cleared her throat. “A few months ago, my husband started feeling certain symptoms. He was tired all the time… going to the bathroom a lot… didn’t have much of an appetite. Kinda swollen and itchy skin. I pushed him to go to the doctor. I was rooting for mono.” Her mouth curled sardonically. “The diagnosis was stage 4 kidney disease.”

Dini dug her fingernails into her palms. “Oh no,” she said softly.