Alice had been piecing together a blouse before she sent Frank the owl. Yes, they lived close, but she didn't want him to slam the door on her face..
She'd put the fabric pieces down when she heard Frank in the living room. "I'm here." She was going to go see him, but.. he'd beat her to it.
"Don't. It was my fault, Frank. I've been.. terrible. I've done such terrible things." Alice took his hands, tugging him lightly so he didn't kneel there as if he were the guilty party. "I don't know how you can forgive me.. You don't need to be forgiven.. You've done nothing wrong."