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           Iputthatonveryquietlyandthenlaydownagain,concentratingonrelaxingindividualpartsofmybody.Somewhereinthemiddleofthatexercise,thecoldpillstookeffect,andIgladlysankintounconsciousness.

           Iwokeearly,havingsleptsoundlyanddreamlesslythankstomygratuitousdruguse.ThoughIwaswellrested,Islippedrightbackintothesamehecticfrenzyfromthenightbefore.Idressedinarush,

           smoothingmycollaragainstmyneck,fidgetingwiththetansweatertillithungrightovermyjeans.IsneakedaswiftlookoutthewindowtoseethatCharliewasalreadygone.Athin,cottonylayerofcloudsveiledthesky.Theydidn’tlookverylasting.

           Iatebreakfastwithouttastingthefood,hurryingtocleanupwhenIwasdone.Ipeekedoutthewindowagain,butnothinghadchanged.Ihadjustfinishedbrushingmyteethandwasheadingbackdownstairswhenaquietknocksentmyheartthuddingagainstmyribcage.

           Iflewtothedoor;Ihadalittletroublewiththesimpledeadbolt,butIyankedthedooropenatlast,andtherehewas.AlltheagitationdissolvedassoonasIlookedathisface,calmtakingitsplace.Ibreathedasighofrelief-yesterday’sfearsseemedveryfoolishwithhimhere.

           Hewasn’tsmilingatfirst-hisfacewassomber.Butthenhisexpressionlightenedashelookedmeover,andhelaughed.

           "Goodmorning,"hechuckled.

           "What’swrong?"IglanceddowntomakesureIhadn’tforgottenanythingimportant,likeshoes,orpants.

           "Wematch."Helaughedagain.