I groaned as the headache kicked inhard, drumming across the back of my eyes. I needed water, painkillersand coffee, in that order. Possibly a priest ...oo, I thought grimly. Ineeded to talk to somebody and I knew of only one person I could call. Idialled Sam's number hoping she would pick up but it went to voicemail soI left a message asking her to call me back. I dragged myself out of bed,tried to throw up and failed. My hands were shaking but I managed toshower and shave and got my body at. He knew he couldn’t make any mistakes, he couldn’t act like a horny High School boy. He was going to be alone with the woman he’d fallen in love with for the first time. If she had any feelings at all for him, he wanted her to be comfortable enough to reveal them. If he blew it with her now, he might not get another chance. He was going off to college, and a lot of things could happen in four years. Jason was lying in bed thinking about tomorrow. He didn’t want to be nervous, so he tried to. Stood there with Anne having a cigarette alone in the beer garden still holding hands I could feel a bit of a spark occurring and for some reason I thought this was the best time to act on my impulses. I grabbed Anne with both arms, pulled her in tight and kissed her.The moment our lips touched I regretted it and suddenly remembered that this is my wife's mother and we have just been joking around but I think I have just crossed the line....but wait Anne was kissing me back and holding me. For an instant I was a little boy again and frightened beyond belief. I also wanted to kiss his forehead, but instead, just squeezed his hand and left the room. Downstairs Millie showed me to her car and we all rode silently for a long time. As we got out of town Millie was the first to speak, ‘Jackson … the farm’s not like you remember it … don’t be too shocked. Your Dad’s health has been steadily and gradually getting worse … it came on so slowly I don’t think either one of us realized how.