Where the hell have you been?” Kara demanded. Sniffling, Elena stood in the doorway, her hands numb. “Kara,” she began, but couldn’t hold it together long enough to get the words out. “I lost my key.” Kara wrapped her arms around Elena. “Oh, honey, you’re frozen to the bone. Come on, Laney. Come with me.” She led Elena into the bathroom, began filling the tub with steaming hot water and bubble bath. “Where are your gloves?” She unzipped Elena’s jacket, tugged it off. “I gave them away.” “Gave them—why would you do that?” Elena’s face crumbled. “I saw a homeless person and—and it’s what Lucas would have done.” Kara pulled the hat off Elena’s head. “Get in the tub, stay in until you’re not cold,” she ordered. Elena stripped down, stepped into the tub and sank under the hot suds. A few minutes later, Kara knocked and stepped in with a bowl of hot soup. Elena took it with a tired smile. “Kara, if you still want me, I’d like to stay. I’m sorry I took off.”
