"Marie, I don't want you to feel that I am disappointed at you for what has happened," I said. "I want our relationship to be as it was."

She thanked me and said she thought I would understand. But she also said she was upset. She felt she had probably destroyed the good friendship she had with Albert and Mary.

I thought a lot over the next days about Marie's struggle. She had to come to terms with the way she felt inside. She still felt broken inside, so sad and guilty. I knew and appreciated her gentle personality.

I knew how much she wanted to "make it" when she was released from jail. I wanted to help in Marie's healing.

I understood Marie's struggle partly because of my own life. I had some very difficult years as a child. My own home had not always been a good place for me. Then, Mary and Albert gave me a lot of support. Perhaps I could help them come to understand Marie and come together with her again.

The more I reflected about this incident, the less it seemed that jail made any sense as "payment" for the crime. Soon Marie would be released. Her file would be marked "sentence served." But still the tragedy would be unresolved. Marie would still feel broken.

I wondered if it would be possible for Marie to feel whole. Could she feel truly healed? Could she ever think of Albert and Mary without imagining that they hated her?

I kept thinking about this. I knew I would be seeing the Froeses at a meeting of our church that was happening soon. I asked Marie, "Can I tell the Froeses that you'd like to talk with them?"

"No," was the reply.

"Well," I asked, "if they ask about you, can I tell them anything?" Marie said yes to this.

Albert was one of the first people I saw at the meeting. Our conversation found its way to Marie in such a way that Albert asked about her. I was glad to be able to keep my promise to Marie and to talk with Albert about her.

The fifteen minute coffee break grew into hours. Albert talked about Marie and Kevin's relationship. I couldn't believe how calm he was! Where was his anger?