Chapter 177: Her Mother's Love, Part 19, Announcement

MICHAEL

Ben rejoins me. "She seems a lovely woman, that Mitch. A bit withdrawn, but I suppose that's understandable."

"It's very soon for her. I think she'd lost a lost of confidence, with her husband being as he was."

Condemnation creeps back into Ben's voice, "What was that all about? She left him?"

I cut him short. "He was knocking her around, Ben. When we got her out of there, the bastard had her on the floor. He'd have beaten the shit out of her if I'd not kicked the door in to stop it."

His eyes widen. "Really? You don't think of people really behaving like that, do you?"

Oh, get real...

"Whether you do or you don't, just bear it in mind when you're talking to her. She's had a lot to cope with over the years and it'll take her a while to readjust."

Ben blinks rapidly, licks his lips. "You're right. I jump to conclusions, don't I?"

"Yes, you do. So make a few allowances, eh. Just try to be happy for people."

Ben drops into silence, downs half his drink. "Did I