"Enough of this," Christine shook herself as if trying to rid herself of the past. "Why don't you tell me what you have been doing for the past three years? I see you have another book on the best seller list."
"Not as 'Best Seller' as yours," Rossi responded playfully. "I think you bested me on that front."
"Not that I was competing," Christine assured him with a smile.
"Tell me, how did you come to write that book?" Rossi asked curiously. "I know you had published several articles dealing with your research, but fiction?"
"Well," Christine began another recitation. "As you can imagine, I was not in the best of shape when I arrived here, mentally or physically. Thankfully, the Sisters realized that the best thing for me was calm, serenity, and an established routine. After several months of that, I wanted – No, I needed - To write. So, I got a legal pad and a pen and began creating my own world; a place where when mistakes were made redemption could still be gained." She laughed shakily. "Then I retreated into it and stayed there for a while."
"After I had filled half a dozen pads, I realized I could put portions together to form a narrative. At that point, I borrowed the computer in Sister Sharon's office and began using the word processing software. And, I began reading some of my efforts to the other Sisters in the evenings. One of them had been some sort of talent representative in her former life and, when she heard what I had written, she suggested I try marketing it."
"So, you contacted Renee?" Rossi guessed.
"Yes," Christine agreed. "And, after our publisher had tentatively accepted my manuscript and arranged for an advance, I moved into one of the cabins so I
could write full time. You can probably guess the rest."
"Well – Congratulations! You certainly deserve your success!" Rossi's compliments were sincere. "Are you working on anything else?"
Christine looked at him shyly. "My next book is currently undergoing it's final editing and revisions, and will be printing within the next two months," she told him. "It won't be released until the 'buzz' from Summer Smiles, Winter Tears dies down, but it's ready to go! And, I have at least three other books in the works." Rossi just shook his head in amazement.
"You must have a lot to say," he suggested.
"And a lot of time to say it in," she replied softly.
Rossi spent the remainder of the afternoon bringing Christine up to date on what had been happening with the rest of the team. When he came to Strauss' murder, he stopped to catch his breath and blink the tears out of his eyes. Christine rested her hand lightly on top of his. "You still miss her, don't you?" she asked simply.
"She was finally getting her life together," Rossi choked. "She had so much to look forward to – " And, finally, after so many months of holding back, the dam broke and Rossi's tears began falling in earnest. He cried on Christine's shoulder with her arms clutching him for what seemed like hours and, when he had finally run out of tears and was gasping for breath, he raised his head to look at her. "Thank you," was all he said.