"Isabel was a real trigger for him", Sarah says. "She brought up too much of a past he wanted to forget and leave completely behind, and she felt too threatened by him to not overreact whenever they were in the same room together. And she reminded him of a past he was not able to leave behind. He started to become dominant, and seemed to acquire this hideous strength and unstoppable charisma, and that was being fed by the really weird spiritual dynamic that seems to be at work in this place. Everyone soon gathered round him, leaving Jennifer high and dry, since her very effective leadership just wasn't sexy enough anymore. Isabel began to have mental health problems, becoming depressed with prolonged weeping spasms. She had to get out of here for her own safety, but with the cartel being after her there was no refuge for her. I do hope she is okay now."
"She is safe", Carl says "Does she want us to know yet where she is, Mel?"
"She says she doesn't dare. But she says she is safe and quite happy where she is. And I believe her."
"But he still was okay, for the first eighteen months", says Maureen, "if a little, shall we say, controlling?''
"Pope Douglas", mutters Jennifer. "He knew better than to cross swords with me, so we simply stayed out of each other's way, and I simply ignored him."
"Have you forgiven him?" Sarah asks.
"Not yet I haven't." She pauses for a prolonged draught of coffee, puts the cup down, then looks up at everyone again. "That will come eventually. I couldn't help but feel pity for him today, seeing him like that in his bedsheet toga and bare feet. I almost wanted to cry, so I think I am just beginning this journey of forgiveness."
Francois just holds Jennifer in a calm, steady and prolonged stare. Then he gets up and reaches for a cookie, and sits down again...
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