The Devil and Mrs. Davenport

by Paulette Kennedy

They were a powerful reminder of her own mortality—of the human body’s inherent frailty.

But it’s not that simple. I . . . I can’t explain it. I’m feeling a little lost. That’s all. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and lonely, stuck in that house all day. I want to clean, I want to make myself presentable for you, but sometimes I just can’t.”