She hadn't spoken hardly at all for the entire drive and now they were back at the place where her words must be spare and carefully measured.  Here was not the place for Simone to speak what she shouldn't, but must, to Annabelle.  Now was not the time for her to spill out the contents of her heart and mind.  First and alone, she must sort out what was there herself.  Annabelle had already encroached on Simone's mental personal space way too much anyway.  Simone could hardly look at Annabelle just now, because it was like she had seen her naked — emotionally anyway.  Quite by accident, Annabelle had glimpsed behind the protective walls Simone had built up over the years since Amanda's death. 

While at the beach house, Annabelle found not just a letter, but a key.  The key to unlocking the mystery of Simone.  Annabelle had wondered about Simone; why was she emotionally distant?  what makes her seem so vulnerable?  what burden is she carrying?  Annabelle put things together quickly once she read the letter though.  Having only seconds to process it before she had to contend with a very upset and angry Simone. 

Annabelle wanted only to comfort her once it became clear how very badly she needed it.  Simone just felt violated and Annabelle's forceful embrace seemed just another unwelcome intrusion.  But Annabelle refused to yield to the older woman's resistance, knowing that some people fight hardest against what they need the most.  She sought to overpower Simone and gather her up in her arms.  She would comfort Simone because Simone needed it as much as she wanted to do it for her. 

Inside, Annabelle was a tender, compassionate soul.  Her mother's indifference had motivated a facade of cavalier coolness.  But, underneath the bad girl exterior was a sweet, young woman who had an infinite capacity to give and receive tenderness.  And now, she wanted to give that tenderness to Simone, who clearly could use some, despite her unwillingness to admit it.