Frank drove aimlessly around in his truck for hours before finally pulling over to the side of the road. He sat alone in the dark cursing himself and pounding his fists against the steering wheel of his truck in frustration. He had idolized Coach Wiley Bills from the very first moment he had met him, until now. Tears of anger stung Frank’s eyes. Coach Bills had violated and raped his sister and he knew it. It was the only explanation that made any sense, even though all these years everyone had blamed James Hillam for Angel’s pregnancy, James was innocent.

Frank tightened his jaw as he thought about how he had defended Coach Bills over the years. Everyone felt Coach Bills had pushed Frank a bit too hard when he was playing high school football and preparing himself for a career as a professional football player. Frank had become seriously injured near the end of his senior year, yet the coach allowed him to keep playing when he should have encouraged him otherwise. As a result, Frank’s injured himself worse and after his second set of injuries he could never play football again. Coach Bills had been relentless about winning and he would have rather risked Frank’s health, than lose, but Frank had always overlooked that, blaming no one but himself. Football had been Frank’s reason for living and when his dreams of playing professional football had died he had turned to alcohol and drugs and eventually lost the woman he loved.

Frank remembered his sister Angel as a teenager in her brand new cheer leader uniform. She had been full of enthusiasm and spunk back then, not like she was now. Now she was nervous, beaten down, and empty. She was a shell of her former self. Her youthful confidence was gone. A knot began to form in the pit of Frank’s stomach as his rage began to build. He was disappointed in himself for not figuring things out sooner and he felt he had failed his sister.

He grit his teeth when he remembered his recent lunch with Coach Bills and how he had been stupid enough to tell him about Angel’s recent past as a whore. He couldn’t help but wonder if Coach Bills had a sick perversion in which he delighted knowing how much he had destroyed Angel's life. Coach Bills had not only destroyed Angel’s life, but all of their lives.

Frank couldn’t stand it any longer. He started up the engine of his truck and drove to Red's Barn. Once inside he made his way quickly over to the bar and sat down. Images of Riley and Mia flickered through his mind. How could he be so stupid? Why couldn’t he have seen this coming? He wanted to puke.

“Pour me a double shot of whiskey Red,” Frank said throwing his money down on the bar, “Makers Mark please.”

“Frank,” Red said hesitantly, “Are you sure?” Red knew Frank was a recovered alcoholic and he had great admiration for Frank and didn’t want to see Frank destroy himself again like he had a few years ago.

“Isn’t my money any good?” Frank frowned.

Red poured Frank a double shot of Makers Mark, and Frank grabbed it up and gulped the entire shot down in one swallow. “Another one just like that,” Frank said breathing a heavy sigh as he slammed down his empty shot on the bar.

Red poured another double shot of whiskey for Frank. It was a damn shame.

***

Claudia realized when Frank didn't show up after awhile that he wasn't coming back anytime soon and she telephoned Frank’s ex-wife Amanda and asked if she could come over and pick up Colton. Amanda had been divorced from Frank for awhile now, but she still missed being at the Pirelli house for Sunday dinner and it had been ages since she had attended Mass.

When Amanda knocked on the front door, it was Claudia who answered. Colton saw her as soon as the door opened and immediately rushed to greet her, “Mom!” he squealed as he happily threw his arms around her neck.

“Sorry Frank isn’t around to bring him home,” Claudia apologized and then she hugged Amanda, “It’s so good to see you again, thanks for coming all the way over.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Amanda smiled as she hugged Claudia, “It’s been way too long Ma,” Amanda had never stopped calling Claudia “Ma” or Martin “Pop” even though she and Frank were divorced. As she hugged Claudia she could tell something was bothering her. “Is there something wrong?” She asked.

Claudia shook her head, “No, nothing to worry about,” she attempted to brush it off.

“Mandy!” Rori called from inside the house, “Come in here!” and she rushed to greet her former sister-in-law with open arms.

Amanda and Rori had always been close. They embraced and that’s when Amanda spotted Angel sitting at the table next to Dr. Parker. “Oh my God!”

Angel immediately recognized Amanda from high school. Amanda had been in the grade between Frank and Angel, and had also been a cheer leader at St. Christopher's

Angel nodded and despite her somber mood she stood up to greet Amanda with a hug, “It's good to see you again Mandy.”

Amanda was thrilled to see Angel, especially inside the Pirelli house because she knew Angel had been disowned. She was beside herself, “I'm so happy you are OK,” and she gave Angel a squeeze.

Angel had not enjoyed this type of reception from anyone since she arrived in town and it was very refreshing. Her eyes fill with tears, “My brother definitely has good taste in women,” Angel sniffed. She and Amanda had always gotten along in school and it was nice that Amanda wasn't condemning her like everyone else had.

“Frank was so unhappy when you left,” Amanda said warmly, “I bet he is beside himself with joy now that you are back.”

“Yeah,” Angel said vaguely, “Except I don't think he's too happy tonight,” she said almost under her breath.

Amanda crinkled up her forehead, “What do you mean? Why not? What's going on?”
Angel shrugged, unsure of what to say.

“We're just a little worried about him,” Rori intervened, “You know how he gets. He rushed out of here awhile ago in a huff and we haven't heard from him since.”

Amanda knew Frank could be hot tempered, but she also knew he hadn’t been very impulsive since he stopped drinking. “Why would he do that?”

Rori locked eyes with Amanda and glanced over at Mia, “I’ll tell you later,” she said softly, signaling to Amanda that she couldn't talk about it with Mia there. Amanda took the hint. “Well, that's Frank for you,” Amanda said with a smile, “He can be quite the character sometimes,” and she wished that her heart didn't ache so much every time she thought of him or saw him. She looked down at her son and ruffled his hair, “Go get your stuff Colt, we need to get going.”

Colton wiped the cake off his mouth with his arm and rushed to gather his belongings.

Rori leaned over and whispered to Amanda, “I'll call you later and explain.” Amanda nodded and despite her best efforts tried not to look at Jordan Parker, but it was impossible, so finally she acknowledged him. “Hi Doc.”

Jordan swallowed, “Hi Mandy,” he smiled warmly. It was awkward between them because Frank had caught Jordan and Amanda together in a motel room and had been livid with Jordan ever since. Even though Frank and Amanda were divorced at the time, it had still ruined his and Frank’s friendship.

Amanda then acknowledged Martin, Doug, Mia, and Rori’s two boys as she waited for Colton to gather his possessions. Claudia offered her some cake, which she refused. “See you all later,” Amanda called as she led Colton out the door.

Jordan realized he hadn't witnessed this much chaos in ages. He had been quiet and withdrawn all evening, attempting to absorb everything that was going on and thinking about the startling truth Rori had unearthed about Coach Bills. Angel clung to him and he held her close in an attempt to offer support and comfort.

They had all just finished eating their chocolate cake when Amanda arrived. The adults were pretending everything was normal for the sake of the children, even though it was becoming increasingly difficult. Angel had smoked cigarette after cigarette and part of her wanted to run away from all the drama, but she managed to stay put with the help of Jordan.

“Go upstairs now Mia,” Martin said when Amanda was gone.

Mia turned and glared at her grandpa defiantly, “No!”

“What did you say?” Martin asked sternly.

Angel got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She quickly stood up and rushed over to her daughter, taking her in her arms, “It's OK Mia,” she assured her in a quiet voice. When Mia hugged her mother she could smell the odor of her mother’s cigarettes and perfume blended together. It was a scent she had never smelled before, and there was something about it that smelled good to her. Her eyes welled up with tears, “I don’t want to go upstairs,” Mia protested.

“Shh,” Angel said quietly and she pressed Mia’s head to her chest with affection, “Some things happened tonight before you came home from bowling and we just need time to talk about them as adults. I promise you'll find out all about them when the time is right.”

Mia clung to her mother for support as the tears continued falling from her eyes. “I want to know, now.”

Angel held her close, “I know you do sweetie,” Angel swallowed, “You can’t know yet, but I love you Mia and it's going to be OK.”

Martin sighed as he watched the two of them together. All of this emotion was taking a toll on him and he was growing weary and impatient.

Rori took the opportunity while Angel and Mia were hugging to send Doug and her two sons home for the evening, “I'll be home soon and explain everything,” she whispered to Doug, who was still ignorant because he had been attempting to entertain the children all afternoon and evening. He looked at his wife and sighed. “OK Ror,” and he gave her a peck on the cheek.

“You don't have to stay Rori,” Martin said, but he was happy she was there since she was the only one who could seem to function.

“I'll get a ride home with Jordan and Angel,” Rori assured her husband and she looked over at Jordan for confirmation who quickly nodded in agreement.

Doug gathered up the boys and left the house, looking back over his shoulder at Angel and Mia as he left. He couldn’t help thinking that seeing them together like that was a sight for sore eyes.

“OK Mia, upstairs,” Martin said in a stern voice.

“No,” Mia said again, tightening her grip on Angel.

Angel worried what her father would do if Mia kept defying him. She pried Mia away from her and cupped her daughter's face in her hands, looking into her eyes and pressing her forehead against Mia's, “Tell you what Mia,” Angel said softly, “Tomorrow night I'll come over, if it’s OK with Popoff, and I’ll take you out to dinner and we can talk then, OK?” Angel looked at Martin for permission.

Martin nodded, “You heard her Mia, now upstairs.”

“This isn't fair Popoff,” Mia protested, but she knew it was useless. She broke away from her mother and stormed up the stairs. She knew she would be threatened with the belt again if she continued to delay and it made her angry.

Martin raised his eyebrows as he listened to her stomp up the stairs, “I got news for her, life isn't fair,” he frowned. He looked over at his wife Claudia, “Will you go upstairs and make sure she doesn't eavesdrop?”

Claudia was concerned about Mia and welcomed the opportunity to go upstairs and be with her.

Martin looked at Rori, Angel, and Jordan, since the four of them were the only ones left sitting around the old dining room table. “How will you ever find a way to tell her about Coach Bills?” Rori asked.

“I don't know,” Martin sighed turning toward Angel, “Angelica,”

Angel shrank back and Jordan squeezed her hand.

“Is Bills really Mia’s father?” Martin looked at Angel as if he could see right through her.

Angel began to shake and tremble, “Yes Papa,” she managed.

“Is there any doubt?” Martin pressed.

“No Papa,” Angel said, “He...” and she broke down in tears.

Jordan held her, “It's been a very long day,” Jordan said quietly.

“I need more time to think about all of this,” Martin said through clenched teeth, “If the truth comes out, and Mia hears it from someone besides us, it won't be good. That rat bastard…”

Jordan leaned back in his chair, “I know I am an outsider here, but I feel Mia is a great kid and she can handle knowing the truth.”

Angel was beginning to realize the ramifications of everyone knowing her secret and she needed another smoke. She stood up and went outside and this time Jordan stayed behind.

“I'm glad we finally know what happened,” Rori said, “I can't believe we didn't figure it out sooner. It was right there in front of our faces the entire time.”

“Angel didn't want us to know,” Martin said, “And I can see why.”

“If you need someone to help tell Mia the truth, I would be happy to help,” Jordan offered.

“No,” Martin said, “She needs to hear it from me,” and then he looked out the window at his daughter, “Or maybe her mother,” he said absently.

“I doubt Angel is strong enough to tell her,” Jordan observed, “Plus she hardly knows Mia,” and he tightened his jaw as he thought of how Angel kept breaking down every time she attempted to talk about it.

They sat together in silence for awhile. None of them were certain what Frank was doing and if he had already told half the town.

“No one is going to do anything about Bills until we think this through,” Martin finally said and then he stood and paced back and forth in agitation, “Let's talk about it tomorrow,” he finally said and he brushed past all of them and went in his den and closed the door. Martin was struggling with his feelings of anger, wanting to strangle Coach Bills on one hand and his daughter on the other for not telling him. He felt as if he had been the one who was raped. He couldn’t believe what his daughter had been through. He poured himself a glass of scotch to help calm his nerves.

along with Angel. Amanda beamed, “You're back.”

***

When Jordan and Angel arrived home after their long emotional day, she stopped outside before going in to smoke another cigarette. Jordan frowned as he watched her puff away on her cigarette, and then he finally he reached over and lightly removed the cigarette from her lips and threw it to the ground, stubbing it out with his boot. “Let’s go inside,” He said, since it was very cold. He then proceeded to pick Angel up and carry her inside the house where it was warm. He carried her down the hall and placed her gently on the bed, “Are you OK?” he asked.

She looked up at him tiredly, “I'm OK.”

Jordan lay down on the bed next to her and kissed her tenderly, brushing away the strands of hair that hung over her swollen red rimmed eyes. He couldn't find the words to tell her what was in his heart and mind. He had an unusual fondness for the people of Argus Falls and the surrounding communities because of his role as their doctor and he was sickened to learn what had happened to Angel at the hands of Wiley Bills.

Angel snuggled up next to him and he held her close, encircling her with his arms, “I'm so very sorry about what happened to you,” he breathed quietly.

Her eyes filled with tears, “It was a long time ago.”

“It doesn't matter how long ago it was, we never get over some things,” he said affectionately, kissing the top of her head.

“I wish no one knew,” Angel said in anguish, “it only makes things worse.”

“No Angel,” Jordan said quietly, “it's good that the truth came out.”

“Mia will die when she finds out,” Angel turned and buried her head against her pillow and began to weep.

“No,” Jordan said tenderly, stroking her back, “Mia won't die,” and he kissed her behind her ear with affection, “It might shock her at first, but she won’t die. She deserves to know the truth.”

Jordan had admired Coach Bills for a number of years and he had never seen anything in Coach Bills that would have caused him to conclude the man was capable of raping an innocent teenager. Jordan reasoned to himself that Coach Bills was a man, like any other man, except where most men were able to reign in their lust, Coach Bills apparently couldn't and didn't. Jordan wondered who else Coach Bills had victimized.

As he held her in his arms Jordan tried to picture Angel as a fourteen year old girl. Considering what she looked like now, he knew she was probably quite attractive back then and he wasn't sure he could have resisted her either, especially since he hadn’t been able to resist her the night he saw her at the bar. But not being able to resist her as a woman as opposed to when she was a teenager were two very different things.

“I should never have come back,” Angel sobbed.

Jordan grabbed shoulders and turned her around to face him, looking down at her with affection, “Don't ever let me hear you say that again,” he said sternly, “if you hadn't come back I would never have known you and that would have been a tragedy.”

She knew he was not upset but his words of affection made her uneasy.

“Angel,” Jordan said softly and he grabbed her without saying another word and began to urgently kiss her, “I love you,” he breathed and the words came out of his mouth before he was able to stop himself.

She looked up at him with wide eyes and attempted to wiggle away, “You hardly know me,” she protested.

Jordan would not be discouraged. He continued to kiss her as she struggled against him and tried to get away. Finally she gave in and stopped struggling. “I know I barely know you,” he whispered and he felt his groin tighten as her lips brushed against his. He looked down into her eyes, “But somehow I feel as though I've known and loved you my entire life.” He had finally said what had been in his heart from the first moment he saw her.

She felt much the same about him and even though his words made her uneasy she wished she could say it back, “I...” and she wanted to say she loved him, but it wouldn’t come out.

He began tugging on her dress until he had pulled it up and over her head, and then he swiftly removed her bra, pressing her bare chest against his, her nipples hardening as they brushed against the rough fabric of his shirt. He kissed her for awhile and caressed her breasts and then he slowly removed his shirt and pressed his smooth chest against hers, enjoying the feel of her rock hard nipples. He began to work her panties down her bare thighs and he noticed how soaked they were.

He wanted her with all of his heart, might, mind, body and soul. He looked down at her as she lay before him naked on the bed and he continued kissing her as he shed his clothes.

Suddenly she stopped kissing him and looked up into his eyes, “So doc, are you going to punish me for telling you that I shouldn't have come back,” she whispered hotly, “It seemed to upset you a little.”

He was thrilled because he knew in that instant that she wanted him to spank her. He didn’t waste any time. He quickly sat up on the edge of the bed and tenderly pulled her naked body over his lap so he could smack her round bottom with the flat of his hand. Her bottom was slightly sore from earlier when he had used the leather paddle on her bottom. She winced slightly as he increased his smacks. The spanking stung, but she loved every minute of it. He was strong and capable and his firm spanks reassured her that he would take care of her no matter what and that she could rely on him. After a few minutes she wiggled in agony, “Ouch,” she protested, “You don’t have to be so stern.”

Her clit was swollen and hard as he spanked her, and her bottom turned redder and rosier from each stinging smack. Finally he couldn't stand it any longer and he stood up and pushed her up against the wall. Her face rested against the hard plaster and her nipples tingled as they brushed against the rough texture. He was behind her and he reached around her and began caressing her breasts with his hands as he kissed her neck. She felt his hands reach down to caress her punished bottom and she moaned with pleasure.

Before she knew it he grabbed her waist and pulled her bottom out so he could lift her slightly and thrust himself inside her wet opening from behind. He began to move in and out, probing deeper with each thrust. He managed to reach around and pinch her nipples as he was thrusting, making her moan with pleasure. She reached down with her fingers and touched her swollen clit as he continued to move in and out of her with a steady rhythm. He placed his hand on top of hers and felt her fingers work her swollen clit as he fucked her. Her bottom was sore and aching from the spanking he had just given her and she could feel the pain in her bottom with each of his thrusts.

He smiled as he felt her shudder and tighten around him, wiggling with pleasure. She climaxed hard and then he pulled out of her and turned her around to face him; looking down into her eyes as he thrust himself back inside of her, this time from the front. With his rigid cock buried deep inside her wet opening he lifted her up and grasped her sore bottom and upper thighs as he held her against the wall and drove himself in and out of her with precision. He pounded into her with fury as he pinned her against the wall. When he reached the brink he stopped and moaned as his hot liquid emptied inside of her and the sweat poured off the sides of his face. She tensed around him as he climaxed and when it was over he pulled her over to the bed and pushed her down on her back and lay on top of her, kissing her passionately.

“Oh my God,” he breathed hotly, overcome with pleasure. “You make me feel so good,” he whispered as he resumed kissing her.

She suddenly stopped kissing him and looked up at him through half closed lids, “I love you too Jordan,” she breathed, and she was proud of herself for finally being able to say it back to him.

He squeezed her tightly in response and then his lips began moving over her entire body as he watched her twist and moan with pleasure. When his mouth touched her sore bottom and his hot breath and wet tongue soothed her punished flesh, she became very aroused and reached down again to pleasure herself, but he took her hand and brushed it away, and then he placed his mouth over her swollen clit and flicked his tongue across her sweet spot until she shuddered and moaned with pleasure. He licked her hot juices as they flowed from her moist opening.

“No one will ever hurt you again if I can help it,” he breathed.

“Don't make promises you can't keep,” she said.

“If anyone ever hurts you again, I swear to God I'll kill them,” he said and he meant it.

She shook her head, “No Jordan.”

“I mean it,” he said, “Right now I don't know what I would do if that bastard Bills were here, I'd probably beat him to a bloody pulp.”

“Jordan,” she protested, “Don't talk like that.”

“Don't tell me how to talk,” he said sternly, but there was an edge of seduction in his voice, “Or I might have to give you another session over my knee.”

She squirmed at his words.

“I can't imagine what you went through after Bills did that to you,” He said angrily.

She looked away, “Please, let's not talk about it.”

Jordan honored her request, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go of her and he held her pressed against him until she managed to fall asleep. He soon fell asleep as well, determined that he would take care of her from here on out, no matter what.

Angel rolled over and woke up a couple of hours later, craving a cigarette. She slowly wiggled out of Jordan's arms and grabbed her purse on the floor, searching for a cigarette. She intended to sneak a few puffs in the bedroom and hope that Jordan wouldn’t find out.

But just as she had the cigarette in her mouth and the lighter ready, Jordan opened his eyes a crack and squinted at her, “If you light that thing in here I'll grab that hairbrush out of the drawer and use it on your backside before you can manage to take one puff,” he motioned toward the drawer next to his bed.

“No fair,” Angel protested, wondering how he had managed to wake up since she had tried to be very quiet, “But I don’t want to go outside to smoke. It's cold out there and I'm not dressed,” she pleaded.

“The choice is yours,” Jordan shrugged.

Angel squirmed because her bottom was still sore from his earlier spanking. She considered his threat of the hairbrush, “Please Jordan,” she begged.

“If you light that thing in here you'll be sorry,” he warned.

“It's damn cold outside,” she complained.

“Then maybe you should think about quitting that nasty god forsaken habit,” he said with raised eyebrows.

“Fuck you!” She said with anguish and then she quickly looked around and grabbed his shirt off the ground nearby where it lay and quickly put it on. His shirt drowned her. Then she stood up and stepped into his cowboy boots that were near the bed. She looked ridiculous in his oversized shirt and large clumpy cowboy boots as she shuffled out of his room and down the hall through the kitchen and out on the back patio. It was extremely cold outside and she shivered as she lit her cigarette, cursing him under her breath.

He quietly got out of bed and followed her, watching from inside the kitchen where it was warm as she stood outside on the patio puffing her cigarette. She only smoked enough to get the minimum satisfaction and then she tossed the remainder of the cigarette away and quickly stepped back inside the warm house. She was freezing. She didn't know Jordan was there in the darkness and so she bumped into him and he grabbed her with amusement, “You really do like your cigarettes don't you?”

His body was warm and she snuggled against him with appreciation, “I can't help it.”

“Yes you can,” he said and lifted her chin so he could kiss her. Then he pulled her up into his arms and set her on the kitchen table. Her feet dangled off the edge and his big cowboy boots slipped off her bare feet and clunked down onto the wooden floor. He pulled her into his arms as she sat there on the table, her bare bottom pressing against the wood of the table uncomfortably, still sore from her earlier spanking. “Now let's talk about you waking me up,” he said with amusement and tilted her chin up towards him.

“Jor --” she protested and his mouth covered hers before she could get the words out.

“Boy are you in trouble for waking me up, I have to go to work soon,” he grinned at her in the darkness as he kissed her.

She threw her arms around his neck, “No Jordan,” she protested and she swallowed when she heard him use his foot to slide out a nearby kitchen chair, “this isn’t fair,” she complained as he pulled her off the table and sat down on the wooden chair pulling her over his knee for another spanking. “Ouch Jordan,” she wiggled in protest as he slapped her bare bottom, “this isn’t fair, stop it.”

“A wise old man,” Jordan mused, “I think it was your father as a matter of fact, earlier tonight,” and he paused, raising his hand high in the air, “mentioned that life isn't fair. You should listen to the elderly. They are full of wisdom.” And then he brought his hand down hard on her bare bottom.

“Ouch,” she protested vehemently. “Stop it Jordan.”

Jordan didn’t care about her protests, and she knew she was doomed.

***

When Martin pulled up in his old truck outside Red's Barn in the wee hours of the morning he couldn’t help but recall how this had been his regular routine a few years back. He got out of his truck and trudged through the side door where Red was waiting for him, “Sorry Marty,” Red shrugged.

“Thanks for calling me,” Martin said and he scanned the room until his eyes fell upon his son, slumped over a table in the corner. “Jesus Fucking Christ,” Martin sighed in a tired voice.

“Ain't that the truth,” Red said and he accompanied Martin over to Frank's limp body and both of them stood on either side of Frank and hoisted him to his feet. Frank was incoherent and it took the strength of both Men to drag him outside to Martin's truck, pushing him up inside on the front seat. Frank sat unconscious and slumped over as they slammed the door of the truck.

“Good luck getting him home,” Red said.

“Thanks,” Martin sighed, “I'm tempted to leave his sorry ass in the truck all night long if I can't get him to wake up.”

Red shook his head, “I can't blame you, the poor sap knows better.”

Martin nodded, “Did he say much tonight about why he fell off the wagon?”

Red shrugged, “No, not really.”

Martin could tell Red knew something or at least suspected it, but Red kept everyone’s secrets.

Red looked down, “Martin, if there's anything I can do.”

“No,” Martin breathed a heavy sigh, “What can you do?”

Red had known Martin a lot of years.

Martin climbed in his truck beside Frank and started the engine. He drove to his house instead of Frank's apartment and when he arrived, Claudia came out in her robe and slippers to help him walk Frank to the living room couch where they left him, smelling strongly of whiskey. Claudia stood next to her husband as they both looked down at their son. “Why did all this ugliness have to happen to us?” Claudia asked with tear filled eyes.

Martin took her in his arms. “I don't know Claud,” Martin said quietly and he kissed her on the forehead, “I don't know.”

She continued with her tears as Martin led her up the stairs to their bedroom. She took off her robe and slippers and climbed beneath the covers of their bed and watched as Martin sat on the edge of the bed removing his clothes. “What's going to happen, Martin?” She asked.

Martin tightened his jaw, “I don’t know,” he said and he climbed in bed beside her and she turned off the bedside lamp.

“Oh Martin,” she said in the dark, “I can’t believe it.”

Martin pulled her close, “Shut your eyes and relax,” he sighed, “We both need our sleep.”

They lay together in the darkness as they had for thirty-five years, realizing that the sun would come up very soon as it did every morning and life would go on.