Helen watched her carefully.
“Yes.”
“Well,” Irene said, spreading her hands slightly, “my brother seems to have mastered that approach, just like you said.”
Helen’s posture stiffened slightly.
“And maybe that’s exactly what I should do.”
Helen’s brows pulled together.
“I’m not sure I follow.”
Irene smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Maybe I should take a page from his book.”
Helen tilted her head slightly.
“What are you trying to say?”
Irene held her gaze for a moment.
“By being more deliberate with my own choices.”
Helen seemed to relax slightly at that statement, clearly assuming Irene was beginning to see her point.
But Irene wasn’t finished.
“And a very good place to start,” Irene continued calmly, “would probably be learning how to stop letting your
