She probably bailed when the screaming started. It felt like a light switch had flipped on my life.“I thought Lavi wanted to still do the sewing at ...er mom’s house.” I said it to no one because no one else was there.It was quiet and I imagined I could hear the pain of my chest beating and my arm throbbing. I walked through the house. My house was largely unchanged since they moved in. Melissa had gotten me a new couch and there were a few new pictures on the wall, some clothes in closets. "Your white cell count is not up, so I don't think you have an infection. I think they got it."When Howie got home, he moved into the studio. Janet came over for his art lessons and his father took his writing assignments to his instructors.He called Brooke. "Hi, I am home but I have to stay in the studio for a week and stay off my leg. How are you doing?"Brooke said, "I'm glad you're home. Maybe after you are able to get around, we can talk." I understand. If you want, we could talk on the. " Shit! If we left now we could get back before dark," he sounded wounded."Sorry," I said. We had looked forward to the evening, a beer of my choice on the way out, an hour of trolling around 'Mike's Reef' and another beer on the return trip. We would finish the six-pack at the dock before we parted for the night. Mike was one of two friends I had in the area, the other being the owner of the cottage where I was bunking. They had never met, each feeling totally responsible for my comfort and. Since then I had nearly given up on dating. It was too disappointing, especially with my ED problem."Um, ah, Okay. I guess we could all go together. Can I help get your stuff together so we can leave?" I asked standing in front of her while she still clutched my hand.She stood, still holding on, began buttoning her blouse with one hand then spoke to her kids in French. Whatever she said was effective. All of the ones of at least five and up began picking up everything, folding blankets,.