Emotionally drained, Daphne sat in front of the television set sighing as she lost herself in the romantic story unfolding before her eyes. If only life could be like the movies.

Or more precisely, love.

Suddenly the main character's wife was taken from him in a tragic accident, causing Daphne's eyes to fill with tears that slid down her cheeks.

From the worn recliner to her left, she heard Martin sigh irritably.

"Oh geez, don't tell me you're crying again! You've seen this movie, what? Twenty times before? At least! And it always ends up the same sappy way!"

"What do you care, old man?" Daphne shot back. "You've seen the Mariners play hundreds of times and it always ends up the same way... they lose!"

"Oh that's very funny!" Martin said sarcastically. "But at least the Mariners aren't as sappy as those characters in your damn movie... Return... something."

"It's called Return to Me!" She replied, trying to control the quivering in her voice.

"And it's a beautiful love story!"

Martin rolled his eyes. "Yeah? Well a movie about a guy whose wife kicks the bucket and then miraculously he falls in love with the heart transplant recipient is just damn creepy if you ask me!"

"Nobody asked you, so sod off!" Daphne yelled. "It's romantic! But I wouldn't expect you to understand! You've never lost the love of your-."

She stopped short when she realized what she had said. "Oh, Mr. Crane... I'm sorry. I-."

"Just forget it, okay?"

She watched as he rose from his chair, wiping a tear from his eye and grabbed his cane.

"Where are you going?"

"I need a beer! Just... watch your damn movie! Pretend I'm not even here. I wish to hell I wasn't."

When Martin disappeared into the kitchen, Daphne's anxiety increased and her tears fell faster. But it had nothing to do with the heartbreaking movie that still flickered on the television set.

With a trembling hand she picked up the remote and turned off the DVD player and then changed the station to the Mariners game... where they were in fact losing. She wanted to smile but she just couldn't.

Her heart raced as she crossed the room and went into the kitchen where she found Martin drinking a can of Ballantine beer.

"Mr. Crane?"

He turned to look at her but quickly looked away.

"I-I put the Mariners game on for you." She said, feeling rather timid.

"Oh, and I suppose they're losing." He said, causing her to cringe as she recalled her first attempt to make him angry.

"Well... yes." She said quietly. "But only by one run. I'm sure they'll catch up."

He scoffed and moved past her but she stepped in front of him to block his way.

"What in the hell is wrong with you?"

At his harsh tone she began to sob and threw her arms around him hugging him tightly.

"Oh, Mr. Crane I'm so sorry for that horrible thing I said! I know how much you loved your wife and I'm just so ashamed of meself!"

Hesitantly, he put his arms around her and rubbed her back.

"Aw, come on now. It was my fault. I shouldn't have gotten so mad about that damn movie."

Finally she smiled. "It's all right. I'm just... I'm sorry..."

"It's all right." Martin said, drawing back from her embrace.

Her eyes narrowed when she noticed him staring at her. "What's wrong?"

"Oh... Nothing. I was just... Are you all right, Daphne? You look like something's bothering you."

She couldn't help but smile. "You sound just like your eldest son."

"Nah, just wondering. You seem upset about something and I'm guessing it's not that damn movie. Is it Donny?"

Daphne's eyes filled with tears and she quickly averted her eyes. "No, of course not!

Why would you ask such a thing?"

Martin shrugged. "I don't know. Just figured since you two are engaged and all. I've never seen you this tense before. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just-."

Without warning she began to cry once more.