Effie stood up and firmly held out her hand. 'Even if it does, Mr. Van Buren, I'm not going back there.'
She walked out into the street, where Pepper was waiting for her, wearing a black kaftan.
'Everything sorted?' asked Pepper.
Effie nodded; and together they started walking up the street.
Pepper suddenly stopped. There were tears in her eyes. 'Do you know something?' she said. 'We look like widows.'
EPILOGUE
Seven months later, Pepper sent Effie an advertisement clipped from the Poughkeepsie Messenger.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF BALAM
This newly-formed brotherhood will be holding inspirational meetings Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 P.M. Come join a close circle of friends who believe in tolerance and forgiveness and the wholeness of the Universe. We have recently acquired the historic Benton House from the Hudson Valley Historical Society and all meetings will be held in these famous and hallowed surroundings.
Underneath, she had scrawled in red ballpen, They came back!