Todd rushes to my side and takes my hands. He is no longer looking at Jim, but at me. He gazes into my eyes. He is worried, I can see. There is also something else in his eyes. Guilt? Shame? I frown. His fingers brush against my cheek and he shakes his head. “No, baby. Don’t frown. You’re so beautiful when you smile.”

“What’s there to smile about?” I ask dully. “I don’t understand what the hell is going on around here. And you’re no help.”

Todd’s eyebrows furrow and he squints in concentration for a moment, as if deciding what to say. “I’m sorry I can’t help you understand. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to smile about…. we’re together again! Does that count for nothing?” he begs.

I examine him for a moment, then shake my head. “No. You’re hiding things from me again.” I pull away from him uncertainly. He is studying me, thinking hard. Reluctantly I add, “and that’s why you left before, remember? So maybe you shouldn’t have come back.”

He flinches as though I’ve slapped him in the face.