*Estelle*

I didn’t intend to fall asleep. The physical exhaustion and emotional turmoil were just too much for me. After Charles left, I cried until my eyes stung. I must have cried myself to sleep. I sat up on the cheap motel bed and stretched. My back ached and my head felt foggy. I rolled to my feet and went to the bathroom to clean myself up.

I was a mess, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. There were bags under my eyes and my face was red. My hair ...