She considered throwing it in the trash but didn't, perhaps because of the regret of not knowing what it said. And so the envelope stayed on the mantle, beckoning mutely as she worked on the canvas of her latest painting.

The fourth day after the lawyer's meeting was a Friday. Weekends were always enjoyable and she was looking forward to a night with good friends at a restaurant not far away. The abandoned envelope caught her eye as she poured a glass of wine and on impulse, she crossed the room to pick it up. It's now or never, and I can talk about it with my friends, she thought....