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Finally the decorators I'd hired to do over Jory's suite of roo there was planned for his entertainment and comfort and convenience With Melodie beside me, we stood and surveyed all that had been done to ht and cheerful

"Jory likes color and lots of light, unlike some ant only darkness because it's richer

appearing," explained Melodie with a strange look haunting her eyes Of course I knew she ain how much time she spent with Bart, and what they talked about, and if he'd tried anything Certainly all that wistful yearning I'd seen in his eyes would force him to make advances And what better time than while Jory ay and Melodie was desperately needing? Then ht need him to talk to, but that was all

"Tellher to do most of it so she'd feel needed, useful In response she smiled for the first time with some show of happiness "You can help me make the bed with the pretty new sheets I ordered" She ripped open the plastic wrappings, the le Her jeans were just beginning to show a slight bulge

I was almost as worried about her as I was about Jory An expectant mother needed to eat more, drink milk, take vitamins, and then there was this unexpected reversal of her for of Jory's unhappy situation It hat I had wanted, yet it had co it was false

Then caoing to get well and dance again I dreaht he was, and my dreams always come true"

Now I knew she was going to do what I'd done in the beginning, convince herself that Jory would recover so to construct her life--and his

I started to speak, to say what Chris had to e feet clulowered at the once dark paneling that was now painted off- white so that paintings of the sea and shore would show up beautifully Easy enough to see he was displeased with our changes

"We lid it to please Jory," I said before he could object, while Melodie stood silent and stared at hiht in a sticky situation "I know you want your brother to be happy, and no one loves the sea, the surf; the sand and seabirdsa bit of the sea and shore--giving his in life will still exist for him The sky above, the earth below, and the sea in between He's not going to lack for anything, Bart He's going to have what it takes to keep him alive and happy, and I know you want to do your part"

He was staring at Melodie, not half listening toto study the curve of the baby swelling her belly "Melodie, you could have co, since I'nored, as if I weren't there at all

"Oh, no," denied Melodie "Jory and I have es we've made in hereand I didn't think you would mind since you seem so concerned about him"

"You don't have to pay for anything," said Bart with surprising war in the afternoon to read the will again, and this time I'll know exactlythat day postponed"

"Bart," I said, stepping so I was between him and Melodie, "you knohy they haven't reread the will They want Jory to be here and fully cognizant of what's going on"

He walked around e, sad ones of Melodic He spoke to her and her alone "You just tell me what you need, and I'll deliver it yesterday You and Jory can stay as long as you like"