"I don't know. I don't think we ever learn to fully expect all the crap that life can throw our way. Even if we're used to it, or even if we're aware of it around us. We still don't expect to have it land on us. Especially if life's already been hard enough as it is," I remarked, watching Kathy quietly. I could sense more tension in her shoulders when she talked about Tommy than when she talked about her own likely fate.

Funny, how it took being angry on behalf of another person to wake many of us up.

I placed the tea set gently on the table, pouring out a cup of tea for either of us, and trusting Kathy to handle her own milk and sugar.

"You know, when I arrived here... someone from my home was already around. Someone who had passed away about a month before I arrived. That happens, too."