Cora woke up early, it was weird not being with Robert but kind of nice as well. It was definitely something to get used to. She liked being with Mary and spending time with her; she knew it was good for her. Cora walked down the stairs, it was still early so Mary was just about to leave for work. She was currently on the phone. "Bye, bye. See you in a few, Matthew."

"And who was that?" Cora asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee and trying to hide her smile.

"It was Matthew, just a co-worker. I'm working with him on a case.

Cora gave her a look. "Oh Mama, I wish you wouldn't look at me like that. I just with him, don't plan our wedding quite yet."

"It would be nice to see all my daughters settled."

Mary sighed and laughed, "Oh yes 'cause it worked so well for you."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She saw the look on her mother's face, like she had just ben stricken. "Oh Mama, I'm so sorry." She strolled up and kissed her. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Oh it's nothing, darling." She gave her daughter a forced smile. "Forget it."

Mary could see that it still bothered her, wishing she hadn't said it. She said goodbye to her mother and wished her a good day.

"Mhmmm," Cora nodded and waited till Mary left to cry properly.

"Thanks for coming, Lee," Robert opened the door for his old friend. He was still in rough shape; he had stopped drinking, but still couldn't bear to get dressed or get out. All he could do is replay everything that he had ever done wrong to Cora through his head; he had several outbursts of tears.

"Robert, what is the matter?" he said pushing in and seeing Robert's appearance.

Robert led him to the couch. "Lee, you better sit down. Cora is gone."

"Why?" he asked, in his heart he knew the answer. The rumors about them ran wild and Lee, seeing them sometimes in verbal or even physical spats .

"Me. I've killed her almost twice now. I've hit her, and now I've lost her. There is nothing to blame but myself."

"Robert, what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know, I can't stay like this. For so long, I convinced myself that we were both awful to each other and that made it okay. Yes, she peeved me off about the affair and she danced with other men. I made up in my head that she had affairs, so I had an excuse to hit her at the end of the night. I loved the control, I cannot deny it. And she acted in self-defense mostly, she never tried to kill me at least." He paused, "I know no one will believe me, but I never wanted to hurt her, or lose her, I loved Cora."

Lee breathed. He was stuck on what to say. He had known Robert longer, but he had liked Cora for the ten years he had known her-after he had moved back here. He knew Robert regretted, but he also knew that the two of them could not be together, not how Robert was. "I believe you, but you cannot hope to see her how you are."

"No, Mary would not allow it." He reached for a tissue and wiped his eyes, he was on the verge of snuffling. "I would not trust myself around her. I can't go near her again."

"Is there a divorce? Do you never want to be good enough for Cora?"

"I cannot imagine my life without her, if that's what you mean. I mean look at me."

"You are a wreck," he said with a laugh. "Will you get help?"

"I need it," he said flatly.

"I will look into it for you. Maybe there's something at the hospital," he said.

"Oh yes, I forgot you were a doctor." he said wiping his eyes.

Lee jumped up, he hated seeing Robert like this, yet he was upset of all he did to Cora, whom he always respected. What Robert was saying was completely selfish, hopefully something would help him out of this mode. He never said anything about how Cora was feeling, or what Cora deserved. "Robert, I must go. I'll get back to you on a rehab program."

"Mary? Can I ask you something?" Mary was packing up her bag after a long day. She could be home to her mother around six if she hurried.

"Oh yes, of course, Matthew." she said stopping and looking to him. "What is it?"

"Well I was just wondering, how are things with your mother?"

"I feel better now that's she's living with me. She's hurting still, obviously, but I think it's good for her."

He smiled, "the little you told me, it seems that she would be better."

"Yes you'll have to excuse me, I really have to go. I said something awful to her this morning and I have to get home."

He followed her out the door, "Do you want a ride? It would be a great deal faster than taking the train or the bus."

"Why, thank you. You're too kind."

They got into his car and drove on, till they arrived at the front of her apartment building. "The thing is Mary, that I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner sometime?"

"That's kind, Matthew," she said. "But I do have my hands full, but I promise to think about it, Goodnight."

Mary finally made it through the door. "Mama! Mama!" she yelled.

"Mary, I'm only right here," she said from the couch with the remote in her hand. Mary joined her on the sofa; Cora clicked off the television. "How was your day?"

"It was fine, I feel just awful about what I said. And I thought all day about you."

"That's sweet, Mary," Cora said shuffling uncomfortably.

"Have you not been out of the house all day?" she said, looking down at her mother in a baggy t-shirt.

"No, I fear I'm not ready," she answered.

She pulled up her mother. She had been wallowing for her few days, but she had thought about it all day at work; she was going to take her mother out. "We are going out and you are going to look beautiful."

"Mary, I don't think I'm ready." Cora said following her up the stairs.

"You've lived with daddy, you've lived that life. Now depending if he improves himself, you will get back together and I hope for it I really do. But just try to embrace this. You must heal to, Mama."

"Okay, Mary," she said and followed her to Mary's bedroom. Mary insisted on picking the dress for Cora to wear. It was a light blue number that matched her eyes almost exactly. It scooped at the neck and went down to her ankles, showing off her slim hips and her great figure. She looked almost goddess like. Mary quickly through on a much shorter red dress that fell loose on her body. "Are we ready?" Mary said, as her mother was in a dream-like state and staring into the mirror.

"I think so," her mother said with a smile, unsure of what nightlife without Robert would be like, a tad less unpredictable. And underneath all of the feelings, regrets, and longings she had for Robert, she was a bit excited to see what would come. Not just tonight, but the rest of her life. She had always had a pattern, a role to play, a sick cycle to be in. Now she was able to do anything but settle for what she had known. She looked at Mary. She thought how alike they looked, but how different they really were. How she lived her life and how her happiness always came first, she only hoped that one day she could reach the same thing for herself. To not give up her reflection for herself, Cora wanted to be the image that she admired most.