Mabel Quinn sighed; perhaps some things can truly never be understood by those outside the situation.
"Alice, be kinder to yourself." It's all she could advise.
"Mm, I know," Alice Conley replied with a smile.
————
In the evening, Mabel Quinn mentioned the New Year to Kyle Kinston, "Are you planning to go back to Falling City for the New Year this year?" she asked.
"What, already thinking about how to spend the New Year?" he replied, "Do you want to spend it in Falling City or J City? However..."
His voice trailed off, as if he had something difficult to express.
"However, what?" she probed.
"However, no matter where we spend the New Year, it might just be you and me," Kyle Kinston said.
Mabel Quinn was taken aback. Yes, their New Year might indeed be just the two of them, without the scene of a whole family gathered around a table full of New Year's Eve dinner.
