I woke up again really late that night. Jeannie was sobbing uncontrollably in my mother's arms next to my bed. Nobody else was in the room.
"Shh. It's okay," Mom reassured her.
"Oh, Mom, I feel terrible," Jeannie whispered. "I love Patricia to death, but I have been so jealous. I wanted Paul all to myself. I just know I'll never find another guy like him, no matter what! And now...God, we can't lose him!"
"I understand, sweetheart. It's been even tougher for me," mom murmured softly. She looked out the open doorway carefully before she went on. "You can never tell anyone, but I have felt the same way."
"Really?"
"Mmm-hmm. It may have been even worse for me, though. I'm his mother. There's no way he and I could—Oh, Paul! You're awake!"
"Mmm," I murmured. "Hey. What time is it?"
Jeann
