Seasons of the Fool by Lynne Cantwell

the deep, dark topics she was trying to avoid thinking about.
    It felt as if it took forever for her rescuers to arrive, while she hung around in the ladies’ room and tried to look unobtrusive when other patrons came and went. But it was probably only ten or fifteen minutes before Ms. Elsie strode in through the door. “Julia,” she said, and hugged her tightly. “It’s all right now. Thea’s gone to have a word with Ron, and then we’ll leave.” She pulled away to look at Julia’s face. “What did he say to you?”
    “He said he wasn’t going to let me go to Chicago tomorrow.”
    “Wasn’t going to let you?” Ms. Elsie said, surprised. “As if he owned you?”
    “Yes. That’s exactly how it sounded to me.” Julia nodded emphatically. “But I have to go. Tomorrow’s my divorce hearing. I have to be there.”
    “Of course you do,” Ms. Elsie said.
    “I didn’t want to tell him why I was going,” she went on. “I don’t know why. But something told me it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
    “I’m glad you listened to your gut,” Ms. Elsie told her. “You don’t have to justify your movements to anyone.”
    Ms. Thea poked her head in through the door. “Let’s go.” And the three of them walked out to the older women’s car, with Julia averting her gaze from the table where she and Ron had sat.
    She crawled into the back of the women’s tiny two-door car, and Ms. Thea drove them sedately home.
    No one spoke until they pulled up in front of Julia’s cottage. Then she said, “Thank you so much for coming to get me. Maybe it was crazy, but Ron was acting so strangely that I just didn’t trust him to bring me home.”
    Ms. Elsie turned in her seat. “Always trust your gut, Julia,” she said. “It will never steer you wrong.”
    “Julia,” Ms. Thea asked, “what if you drove to Chicago tonight? Would you have somewhere to stay?”
    Julia looked at her in surprise. “You think I should?”
    “I think Elsie and I would feel better if you did,” she said.
    She pondered her options. “I suppose I could stay with Elaine.”
    “Why don’t you call her right now and see?” Ms. Thea said.
    “I’m not packed yet, but it won’t take long,” Julia said as she punched up Elaine’s number. “Hi, Elaine, it’s me. Fine, fine. Listen, what if I drove in tonight and stayed with you and Greg? The hearing starts kind of early, and if I leave now, I won’t have to deal with rush-hour traffic in the morning…. Great! Thanks a million. See you guys in a couple of hours.” She ended the call and turned to the older women. “She thinks it’s a great idea.”
    Both Ms. Thea and Ms. Elsie looked relieved. “Of course, it is,” said Ms. Elsie. “Now go on in and pack your things and get going.”
    “And don’t worry about anything here,” Ms. Thea said. “If Ron shows up in the morning, we’ll take care of him.”
    Ms. Elsie nodded. “Have a safe trip, dear, and let us know how it all turns out.” She hoisted herself out of the car so Julia could get out.
    Julia gave her a hug. “I will. And thanks again for picking me up. I think leaving now is a good idea, too. I didn’t realize until you suggested it how much I just want to get all of this over with.”
    “Say, Julia,” Ms. Thea called, “when you get back, would you like to walk the labyrinth again? It’s not a bad idea to check in every now and then, particularly when you’re going through a big life change.”
    “And divorce is a big life change,” Ms. Elsie added.
    Julia looked back and forth between the two women. “Sure,” she said with a shrug. “I don’t see why not.
    “Good,” Ms. Elsie said. “We’ll see you in a few days, dear.”
    ~
    Elsie sat before her loom, rubbing her upper arms and peering nervously at her weaving. After a moment, she looked up. “Well?”
    Thea blew out a breath and turned away from the window. “She’s gone.”
    Elsie’s posture eased, but her arms remained crossed. “That’s a