For the first time since Annette had entered the room Karen looked at her, then broke into hysterical laughter. "You're so sweet to think of me dear," she said smiling. "Hey. I'm like that," Annette answered as a matter of fact. "Really mom, what chance is there for you two if you stay here?" "Oh he'll be back." "What makes you so sure?" "He left his house here." Karen glanced out the window. "Honestly mom, you're crazy. I know he'll be back. The question is, will he be back alone?" Annette jumped off the bed and headed for the door, holding the edge waiting for her statement to sink in, and hoping for a positive response. "His choice." Karen shrugged and locked her eyes on the phone again. "My choice is to not leave you alone. Thanks anyway dear." The door slammed at the very moment the phone came to life beside the bed and Karen jumped for the receiver. "Izzy?" She shouted into it. "This is the international operator with a call coming through." "Sorry." "Please hold." Again the phone rang and then the sound of the other side picking up. "Hello?" "Izzy?" "Your call is connected." "Yeah, yeah, okay…" Karen heard the click. "Izzy?" "Yeah, hey baby. How are ya?" "Lonely." It sure was a relief to finally hear his voice coming over the wires and her day was suddenly brighter. "Oh me too. Not long now sweetie, catchin' a bird tomorrow, okay? How's about meeting your old man at the airport for a date?" Karen's heart beat with joy as she bounced on the creaky old mattress. He sure sounded in a good mood. She was thrilled at the thought of seeing him again. "My plane should hit O'Hare around noon on Saturday, sound good?" "Oh baby, sounds great." She fell back to the bed when the receiver clicked dead and let herself drift off to sleep. For the first time in four weeks Karen slept soundly.