Cara stood shivering as her hand surrendered the groaning mailbox handle, the stack of envelopes thumping down the desolate chamber.

Count to five and release.
Count to five and release.

Okay, done. No regrets, she silently insisted.

Within seconds she was blasting the heater in the car in a futile attempt to alleviate the cold that enveloped her. Cara was as unprepared as a chrysalis, an edgy stomach twinging with nausea, as she arrived at their favorite restaurant and made her way to their usual table.