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All the way into Charlottesville, until I was parking in the hospital lot, Melodie trembled, sobbed and tried to convince me she'd harm Jory ive her confidence that she could handle the situation

"Please, Melodie, walk into that rooal princess air that you used to wear all the time Then when you're near his bed, take him in your arms and kiss him"

Numbly she nodded, as a terrified child would

I shoved the roses I'd purchased into her arifts I'd wrapped prettily, one she'd chosen to give him after Bart's party "Now, tell hi weak, sleepy and sick Tell him all your other concerns if you want to But don't you dare even hint that you can't feel toward him like a wife anymore"

Like a blind, auto herself to keep pace with me

We ran into Chris co down the hall as we left the elevator on the sixth floor He beamed happily to see Melodie withbefore he turned to h for ood mood He drank all his milk and ate two bites of the pecan pie And usually he adores pecan pie Melodie, if you can, try to see that he eats ht rapidly, and I'd like to see hiain some back"

Still speechless, her eyes wide and blank, Melodie nodded, looking toward the door nuave her a friendly, understanding pat on her back, kissedto talk to his doctors I will join you later on and follow you home in my car"

For the life of me I couldn't feel confident as I ushered Melodie toward Jory's closed door He had a privacy fetish about keeping his door closed at all ti helpless on his bed I rapped once, then twice, our signal "Jory, it's only I, your mother"

"Come in, Mom," he called with more welco up any second I hope you brought ood book to read I've finished--"

He broke off and stared as I shoved Melodie into his room first

Because I'd called Chris to tell hiar

a blue silk pajama top His hair was neatly brushed, his face was clean shaven and he'd had his first haircut since his accident He looked better than he had since that horrible night

He tried to sain

She stood where I'd pushed her and didn't take another step toward his bed This caused his tentative serhis faltering flame of hope as his eyes tried to meet with hers She refused to meet his eyes Quickly the smile vanished as the flame in his eyes sputtered, flickered, then went out Dead eyes now He turned his face toward the wall

Instantly I stepped up behind Melodie, pushing her toward his bed, before Ion her face She stood there with her arifts, rooted to the floor and treave her a sharp nudge "Say so," I whispered