Detachment...

She listened carefully to the voice at the other end of the line. Have you understood, the voice asked repeatedly, worriedly. Yes, yes, she nodded..

The voice said he had had a stroke and asked if she would fly down immediately to be with him. No, she had said and replaced the receiver gently back.

The voice called out to her again, this time in an accusing tone. He'd blame her for the things he's been going through.
She looked at herself in the mirror and wondered what she should be feeling. She looked into the eyes staring back at her..was there pain in them? Were tears welling and would they suddenly trickle down her cheeks? Was she shaking? Did she need to fold herself into a cocoon and lie still?

She picked up the book she was reading, and turned the page. Nothing touched her anymore.