It sent schoolgirl shivers down her spine.

"We both just need to relax and be more sensible."

He was right, but it was still good to have him there. Marie couldn't shake the feeling she got from Karen's smile. Silly or not, she was glad to have Rich in the house with her.

"Let's just get a good night's sleep. Things will look a lot better in the morning." He kissed Marie's forehead.

She let the tingle of his lips fade as she soaked it in, and then pointed to the stairs, "last door on the left."

"Bobby?"

Marie shook her head. "Barely ever see him."

"Again?" Worry tinged his words and wrinkled his brow.

"Not the same. He's just busy. School and all." Marie refused to show her own concern with what "and all' might be. "He's a lot better."

"I hope so."

She did too.

"Hey, why don't you give Sheri a call and talk to her. It might make you feel a lot better." She knew it would make her feel better, or at least ease her conscious.

"Not a bad idea." Richard yawned, and stretched, then reached for the phone beside the couch. He dialed the number and waited.

And waited.

Marie started up the stairs when he finally said hello to the party on the other end. She'd gotten as far as her door when she heard the phone slam back on the base. She rushed back to the top of the stairway and yelled down, "is everything okay."