It's been great!" I reassured her.Melissa took a deep breath. It was a sure sign of a storm on the horizon. We both stared at her expectantly. The bur...ed-down candles cast looming shadows on the walls."That's why... that's why I need to talk to you just now. I have been well aware of how supportive you have been of George for the past few months. I don't know how much he has told you... about... the issues we have struggled with..." She looked from one to the other expectantly."Only that you. ." First time playing?" I ask."First time in a while," Stuart says. "Your dad said he once took youout for a game, though?" Yeah, when I was fifteen," I laugh at the memory. "Doubt I was anybetter than you were..." Yep, that's what your dad said," Stuart teases, making me playfullywhack him with a pillow."I actually kinda wish I'd gone with you," I confess. "I mean, you anddad are getting so close... I'm kinda jealous, you know? I mean, it soundssilly, he IS my dad and always will be..." No, I. She immediately took off her shoes after closing the door, so as not to make a noise going up the stairs.Her thoughts turned to her step-father; she hoped he was ok and that his mood would return to normal soon. She missed the little things like being able to sit on his lap without him getting grumpy, or snuggling up on the sofa for more than 5 minutes before he decided he had something more important to do.Her softly falling feet finally reached the top of the stairs, and she began to walk. And one day, one terrible day, I just snapped.”“How often do you check your messages, your email?”She hid her face from him, embarrassed.I check… all the time… to no avail...He held her close as he knew she was getting emotional again. For many long minutes they just sat there as she wept quietly.“God, you must think I’m such an idiot.”“Not at all, I really don't. You can't help who you're attracted to, who you fall in love with."But you need this, right? This talking, it's doing you some good?.