I see her through the doorway. I see her slender frame, looking just a little bit thinner than it used to. Her blonde hair cascades down her shoulders, little strands glowing in the morning sun. I can't see her face, but I know she's sad. For a moment, I am hypnotized.

My hefty three-year-old boots clank on the floor as I make my way towards Maura. She turns to look at me, her sea-green eyes wet in anxiousness. Instinctively, I reach out to her and hold her hand. She looks me square in the eyes and begins to talk.

"She won't talk to me, Jane." Maura begins to say, "She says it's my fault. What if it is my fault?" Her voice starts to crack, and there's nothing I can do but clasp her hand.

I look at Maura and I feel an unexpected jolt, I feel anger rising in my chest, controlling me and willing me to do something. Something – anything.

"It is NOT your fault. It is anybody's but yours. It was Hope's fault, for picking fights and bickering. And it is Constance's fault, for starting this whole rivalry! Not yours!" The wave of protectiveness has spilt all over and Maura looks at me, not saying a word.

I search her face, wondering if she's seen reason. "Maura! Don't let these people walk over you! Hope clearly has issues, and her harming you in the process is not helping the crazy situation you're in. STOP letting her control you like this!"

Somehow these words lack conviction. I am trying to say something, but I can't be heard. Maura shakes her head and tries to speak. No words find their way out of her mouth. I take a deep breath and sigh. Obviously, I'm getting nowhere.

"Coffee?"

"Not instant!" She replies, crinkling her nose at the thought of coffee that takes less than 4 hours to make.

I smile.

Maura looks at me, suddenly gaining a faint glimmer of life.

"You've got to stop letting people walk all over you too, Jane. You can't sit back and take it either"

I'm confused. What does she mean? "What are you talking about, Maura?"

A watery yet mischievous grin begins to creep on her face. "You know, you just have to think. Search. Kant put forth an interesting proposal – knowledge depends on sense perception but also the innate capabilities of our mind. Of course, this theory…"

I sigh. I know where this was headed. "Maura, I get it. I know who you're talking about."

She stops midway, her mouth forming a small 'o' as her eyes light up with knowing, and… surprise? Like she can't believe I figured it out already. But then she brings together her perfect lips, and looks at me calmly, and I know we're on the same page.

Casey.