Cold. She was so cold. It didn't matter that it was Atlanta in August. A persistent bone-penetrating chill gripped her. All thought the hot summer days she felt like shivering. The only time she felt warmer was at night, in bed with Fritz. She'd burrow into him and hold on tight. Thankfully, he didn't talk, or worse, try to get her to talk. He just held her and kissed away tears she sometimes wasn't even aware she'd shed.

She couldn't close her eyes without seeing her mother's lifeless ones looking back at her. But she was exhausted. Only having brief snatches of fitful sleep for days on end had caught up with her. She shifted down in the bed and placed her head against Fritz's chest, her ear over his heart. Strong and steady. One of his hands went into her hair, his fingertips gently massaging her scalp, while his other arm held her body securely to his.

She felt his warmth seep into her. She snuggled closer to try to soak up all she could. He surrounded her with comfort and love, and she allowed herself to finally succumb to slumber. He would keep the cold at bay, at least for tonight.