“Which is?" Jane asked.

“That he's taken good care of her all this time, and just because she doesn't want to spill her guts every time someone asks her a question, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with her. He says he loved the girl she was and as they've both grown up, he's come to love the dignified, restrained woman she's become. In fact, he made me feel pretty silly about it."

“How's that?"

“Oh, as if I were trying to recapture lost youth or whatever. He asked me why anybody would want to stay what they were at eighteen. And he's right. But I miss the sister I once had just the same."

“Grace, I've got a frantic schedule today and tomorrow," Jane said. "But if there's anything, however trivial, I can do after that, I will."

“Me, too," Shelley said, grabbing the check as Grace reached for it.

“Thanks. I'll let you know. But for nowyou've done wonders for me, letting me babble this way. And thanks for a" — she paused and looked down at the remains of the pizza with an ironic grin—"for a 'decent' lunch."

“I think 'decent' is stretching it," Shelley said wryly. " 'Barely edible' is more like it.”

8

When Grace had left the restaurant, Shelley said, "Whew! What a terrible thing for Sarah. And for Grace, too. Imagine if your own sister turned into a stranger."

“I can't imagine," Jane said, toying with a breadstick. "But I'd like to. I think I'd pay somebody big bucks to give my sister a personality transplant."

“Jane! You don't mean that."

“Shows how much you know. But it is awful for Grace. Still, I wonder if Conrad isn't right. Maybe Sarah is perfectly happy in her own way."

“Jane, she's in a mental ward! They don't put you in those places for no reason."

“I don't mean this minute, but in general. If you'd had something that emotionally wrenching in your past, it would be bound to change your personality. Likely make you more quiet and private."