CARL

I sat across from Alma, my eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers. "How did you handle the situation with Rodney?" I asked again, my voice gentle. I felt like I might have asked the wrong question.

Alma sighed, her shoulders sagging, and leaned against the chair. Her gaze drifted downward, and her voice barely whispered, "We decided to be friends, or something like that." Her eyes welled up with tears, and she blinked them back, trying to compose herself. "It's sad a perfect ...