Oliver looked at Anna, whose eyes were filled with a confusing blend of relief and despair. It was as though she wanted to both escape from and confront the terrible reality Oliver was about to show her.
Oliver hesitated for a moment but then finally said: “Michael, maybe it’s best if you sit down”. The levity drained from Michael’s face, replaced by a look of concern. Whatever semblance of humor had been there vanished, and for the first time, Oliver felt like he had his full attention.