Chapter 2

A few weeks later, Grace was the first to honor the promise of keeping in touch. She had been absorbed with Leila's wedding plans, but while addressing the invitations she came to Jack and Karen's, which sparked a vague memory. She phoned Will. After a few pleasantries, Grace broached her concern. "Will, did you notice how tired and pale Jack looked when we were together last time? Even Karen looked down."

"Grace, do you EVER remember Jack having a ruddy, apple-cheeked complexion? Or Karen being bubbly? But now that you mention it, they didn't seem like their ebullient old selves. But which of us is?" Will tried to be glib. "Remember were all 20 years older now."

"I guess you're right. Anyway I think I'll call them later and ask how they're doing."

Will started to offer his ubiquitous advice, but knew it would not be heeded, so he said his good-bye and rang off.

Meanwhile, Jack awoke from a restless night with a start. He slowly sat up in bed. His head was pounding. It seemed like there was no oxygen in the air. It was strange since he hadn't had anything alcoholic to drink since that one shot he had when socializing last with Grace and Will. He moved to the edge of his bed and slid his feet into his comfy suede scuffs. He stood slowly. The sound of running water was issuing from Karen's room. She must have been up before him. God, what time was it? It must be late if Karen was already up. He turned to look back at his bedside clock, but when he did, a wave of vertigo enveloped him. Gasping, he slumped to his knees and groped back toward the bed. He didn't trust himself to stand up again, so he just knelt by the side of the bed and put his head down on the mattress, breathing heavily. Why wouldn't the dizziness stop? He clutched the sheets in his hands trying to make the room stop spinning. He didn't hear the water running any longer from Karen's room. He knew she'd be stopping by in a few minutes. He had to shake this strange sensation.

But suddenly her heard, "Oh my Lord, Jackie! What's wrong? Are you all right?" was Karen's startled reaction to seeing her Poodle in this unexpected state.

"I…I don't feel very well, Kare," Jack mumbled. She was at his side in an instant and helped him back to his bed and tucked him in like she always did. Thinking it was most likely just a touch of flu, she felt his forehead. Thankfully he had no fever, but at the same, he felt clammy. Not a good sign either. Karen tried to rationalize the unwelcome turn of events. But it was the wrong time of year for flu. What could be wrong with her Jackie? If that wasn't enough, she had been feeling a little under the weather herself the last few weeks with occasional nausea and general malaise. She couldn't blame that on alcohol either. Since they had been together, Jack had helped her overcome her dependence on it. He allowed her just one drink a week, usually on Saturday night when they had their special "song." Karen pondered the situation and reached for the phone.

To be continued...