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Still I stood there, riveted to the carpetand felt overwhelmed with my second son's desperate need to be loved So many times in the past I'd believed hiuilt for bringing hiood in Bart?

"Are you sure, Bart? Do you truly love Melodie--or do you just want her because she belongs to Jory?"

Turning on his back, his dark eyes met mine with more honesty than he'd ever shown How those dark eyes pleaded for understanding "In the beginning I wanted Melodie only because she belonged to Jory I honestly admit that I wanted to take from him what he treasured most Because he'd taken from me what I wanted most--YOU!"

I cringed as he went on "She rejected an to respect her, to see her as different froet The her burned my desire, until I had to have her or die I love her! Yes, she's made me vulnerableand now I don't kno to live without her!"

I threw -sized bed "Oh, Bartwhat a pity it couldn't have been another wolad you've experienced love--and know it isn't dirty or sinful Would God have made men and woether? He planned it that way We recreate ourselves through love But Bart, you have to proain Wait until Melodie has her baby before you and she decide anything"

His eyes filled with hope, with gratitude "You'll help ht you would"

"Wait, please wait Let Melodie have her child, then go to her, and then to Jory, and face up to him, Bart Tell hi him a chance to have his say"

"What can he say, Mother, that will make any difference? He's already lost He can't dance He can't even walk He can't perform physically"

Seconds ticked away before I found more useless words to speak "But does she honestly love you? I was in your sitting room I heard her She hasn't had her say in thisJory and needing you Don't take advantage of her weakness, or Jory's disabilities Give him time to recover--then do what you ht back Give her time to adjust to Jory's condition Then, if she still wants you, take her, for she'd only harm him more But ould you do with Jory's child? Will you take that child fro to leave hi?"

Staring up at littered

suspiciously Bart jerked his eyes away to stare up at the ceiling "I don't know yet about the baby I haven't thought it out to that extent I try not to think of the baby--and you don't have to go running to Chris or Jory with this For once in your life, giveof my very own"

"Bart--"

"Go now, please Leave me alone to think I'm tired You can weaken a ive me a fair chance this time to prove to you that I'm not as bad as you think, or as crazy as I once believed myself to be"

He didn't ask ain not to tell Jory, or Chris As if he kneouldn't Standing and turning about, I left his room

On the way back toMelodie, but I was too upset to face her without giving it h, and I had to consider the health of her child