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"Hello, Jory," she said dutifully

Why didn't she get up and kiss hi in his eyes? Why couldn't she make an effort, even if she didn't love him anymore? Slowly Jory's wan face reddened before he bowed his head and stared down at all the gifts he'd so beautifully wrapped

I was about to say so back, both with starry eyes and flushed faces Bart wasn't long in following them in He raked the room with his eyes, saw that Melodie was still there and turned to leave again Instantly Melodie rose and quickly

disappeared Bart must have seen her leave, for shortly he returned and sat down and crossed his legs, looking relieved now that Melodie was gone

The boyfriend spoke up, looking at Bart and ss to you, Mr Foxworth" "Call him Bart," ordered Cindy

Bart frowned

"Bart" began Lance hesitatingly, "truly this is a relanced at Cindy, who stood her ground as Bart threw her an angry look, even as Lance went on innocently, "Cindy didn't show me your suite of rooms, or your office, but I hope you will do that So like thisand I have a passion for electronic gadgets, as Cindy tells me you have"

Instantly Bart was on his feet, seely proud to show off his electronic equipment "Sure, if you want to see hted to show you But I'd rather Cindy didn't accompany us"

After a sumptuous dinner, which Trevor served, we conversed in the music room with Jory and Bart Melodie was upstairs, already in bed Soon Bart said he had to rise early and he was going to bed Instantly the conversation dwindled to nothing as we all stood and headed for the stairs I showed Lance into a lovely roo, not so far from Bart's own rooms, while Cindy's was near my own Cindy s "Good night, sweet prince," she whispered "Parting is such seet sorrow"

His arms folded over his chest, as Joel folded his, Bart stood back and watched this tender scene with scorn "Let it be a true parting," he saiddirectly at Lance, then at Cindy, before he stalked off toward his rooms

First I saw Cindy to her rooht kisses Then I paused outside Melodie's door, wondering if I should rap and go in and try to reason with her I sighed, knowing it wouldn't do any good, not when I'd tried soover to Jory's room

He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling His dark blue eyes rolledsince Melodie caht You and Cindy always find the tinores me as if I don't exist for her There's no real reason nohy I couldn't sleep in a larger bed, and she could sleep beside me, but she wouldn't even if I asked Now I've finished the clipper ship, and I don't knohat to begin next to occupy my time I really don't want to start another ship for our child I feel so unfulfilled, so at odds with life, with myself, and most of all, with my wife I want to turn to my wife, but she turns from me Momwithout you, Dad and Cindy, I wouldn't kno to live through the days"

I held hih his hair as I had when he was a little boy I said all the things that should have co weak, hated her for not loving enough, for not knowing how to give even when it hurt

"Good night, ht to your dreams, don't abandon them now, for life offers many chances at happiness, Jory It's not all over for you"

He s suite I shared with Chris