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'Has she had any trouble?' Sheila asked. |
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'Maybe everyone else is OK,' Lou said. 'Maybe it wasn't the rain that made Maureen do that.' |
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'It was the rain,' Maureen said. |
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'Why don't we turn on the TV and see if there're any reports about it?' Lou said. |
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He got up from his chair, went to the television and turned it on. |
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Buddy sat down beside Maureen. She stiffened as he reached toward her. But he frowned and drew back his hand. Looking from Cyndi to Sheila, he shook his head. 'I guess I didn't realize how much I still . . . care for Lisa.' |
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'Yeah,' Sheila said. 'You've really been acting like you care for her.' |
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'I know,' he muttered. 'I know. I feel like a . . . a pig.' He met Maureen's eyes. 'Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about all this, about everything. I just don't know what got into me.' He contorted his face to show his misery. |
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This is all a damned act, she thought. |
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'At least you had an excuse for your behavior,' he said. 'The rain got you. You couldn't help what you did. I just . . . I feel awful. Can you forgive me?' |
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Maureen said, 'I forgive you.' |
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What's going on? she wondered. |
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Lou, squatting in front of the television, flicked from channel to channel with the volume low. |
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Buddy turned and looked at the others. 'I'm going to take her home.' |
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