Chapter 33
When Jennie began again her sentences seemed more complete, less fragmented. “The agoraphobia started early on in our marriage. I don’t know why or how it came about. I just knew I was happy and content to stay home, hemmed in so to speak within the confines of the damn lighthouse. I told you it was silly.”
“It’s not. Agoraphobia is a very scary thing. One of my students suffered from it.”
“I’ve made gains though. Honestly I have.”
“You have. You’ve already told me, remember? You’re now able to make all of your appointments with Hal on your own. That’s something you can really be proud of.”
Another silence between them, and Hilary used it to point out a red-tailed hawk circling above them. “You see a lot of them up here in the Sierras. Lovely isn’t he?”
“You’re so smart, Hilary. You know so much.”
“Uh—huh. Real smart. So smart I seem to be going through the motions of my life without really living it, as if it ended when…when Sam died.”