“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, even though she had no idea if Gretchen could hear. “I hate myself today,” she added. “For so many reasons.” Freida went to an end table and poured a hot cup of tea. She added a few pinches of powder from bowls on the table and a large leaf. “Nonsense, Violet Miller. You only hate what others have told you about yourself. You are just fine the way you are.”
