(Here it is. The chapter you all have been dreading. Pay attention to the little things. Those things will become important later on.)

Shane looked up from her laptop and stretched her neck. Although being back at the DLO was rewarding to a degree, there was something inside of her that relished reliving the past week in Pennsylvania. This was her first day back, and it pained her to be apart from Oliver for the morning. He had been called into a department meeting, and Norman and Rita were out on assignment. Shane had been diligently searching for addresses and information to match the wealth of letters that kept streaming into their office, and she felt overwhelmed at the enormity of the task.

The day before they had left Pennsylvania, the police had contacted Shane concerning the murder case. They had given her the phone number and e-mail of the retired missionary widow who had served at the hospital during the summer Oliver's parents had been there. Unfortunately, she also discovered that the survivors of the Yemen trip were unwilling to cooperate in the case. She had not shared either detail with Oliver because she did not wish to depress him nor get his hopes up. She planned on contacting Marty Keohn (the widow in question) very soon, and she silently prayed that something concrete would be uncovered soon. She wanted nothing more than to find closure for Oliver.

With new resolve, Shane began the daunting task of sorting through the mail yet again. This was definitely the worst part of the job for her. She hoped that her other three cohorts would return soon to help with this distasteful part of the job. She never minded the research aspect of the job, but she sometimes found the mundane tasks extremely laborious.

"Oh goodness," Shane mumbled to herself. "I don't know why I'm knocking myself out so much here. Let's see what this next letter is."

She reached for a rather battered envelope, and she began to examine it from every angle. She was grateful that she had convinced the powers that be to purchase a scanner. Very often, she found that scanning the illegible print and manipulating it on the computer led to amazing discoveries. And there was no way she was going to read this address without the aid of her computer.

As she placed the envelope on the scanner and waited for the computer to do its work, she began to dream about and remember Oliver. It seemed that was all she thought about lately. And whenever she did, she struggled to keep the giddy smile off her face. How on earth could God have blessed her with the promise of such an incredible man in her life?

"My love!" a masculine voice shouted and grabbed her from behind.

"Good grief, Oliver!" Shane yelled, as she placed a hand dramatically over her heart.

He merely chuckled and kissed her cheek in response. "Well, good morning to you, too, my dear."

"I swear I never hear you enter the DLO. I don't know how you do it."

"Many years of practice, princess."

"So how was your meeting?"

He moved to his desk and sat down with a sigh. "Oh, how they always are. Vapid in the extreme. But necessary."

"Any word on Norman and Rita?"

"Yes. They are investigating a misdirected box containing a baby alligator."

Shane halted her work and stared at him incredulously. "Baby alligator? You must be joking."

"No, I am in earnest. This is the post office, my dear. You know that we occasionally get unusual parcels. And since we are the DLO, we get the most unusual of the unusual."

"Well, I have to admit that sounds more exciting than sorting through these letters. Working by myself on this is exceptionally tedious."

"Shane, in light of the fact we only just returned to work this morning, I can certainly permit you to take a brief respite. In fact, I would welcome one."

Shane resumed her work without a look in his direction. "No, Oliver. I would rather get this done and possibly have a break later. If you wish to give me a hand-"

"Oh, Shane, I will give you a hand." He began to make his way to her desk. "n fact, I will give you two hands."

Oliver attempted to take her in his arms, but Shane pushed him away. Bewilderment enveloped his face.

"Oliver, you know very well that we are way behind due to last week," Shane scolded matter-of-factly. "If we even hope to weed through this never ending pile of letters, we need to get busy."

"Oh, come, Shane. You cannot veritably tell me that a ten-minute reprieve will make a major difference in our work load."

Attempting to conceal a grin, Shane chided, "Oliver, I know from experience that ten minutes with you soon becomes an hour or longer."

Oliver gawked at her in mock innocence. "Why, Shane, how could you say such a thing?"

With a giggle, Shane looked up from her work and hit his shoulder playfully. He captured her hand and kissed it.

"Oliver," Shane pleaded, "let me work in peace."

"Why?" Oliver whispered in her ear.

"Oliver O'Toole, do I need to remind you that we are at work?"

"I am fully aware of that, Miss McInerney. And the last time I checked, I was your superior."

Shane rolled her eyes. "Oh for crying out loud, Oliver, I just can't win with you."

"Gratifying to hear you admit defeat for a change."

"Oliver, I really need to work, and I am not going to permit you to distract me."

Oliver turned her towards him and tilted her chin up so her eyes met his. "Look, my dear, I have a proposition."

"Yes, Oliver?" she sighed.

"Are you willing to participate in a wager?"

"What kind of wager, Oliver?"

"How about this? You work, and I will do my best to distract you."

"Oh, Oliver, this is ridiculous!"

"Permit me to finish. I promise not to kiss you nor draw you into any kind of embrace. I will not pull you away from your work. You work, and I am only able to regale you with my antics."

"No touching at all?"

"I could be open to that," Oliver responded noncommittally..

"What's in it for me?"

"Excuse me?"

"A wager means that the winner gets something."

"Oh, and you figure you will be the victor?"

"Of course."

"The winner takes the loser out for dinner. I win if I succeed in distracting you from your work."

"What constitutes my being distracted?"

"If you are distracted, you will no longer be able to work."

"And how long will this wager last?"

"No set time."

She stomped her foot agitatedly. "Oliver!"

"All right, Shane, let us say five minutes."

"Somehow, Oliver, I sense that you have something up your sleeve. I know very well I should not even consider this. And I honestly don't know why I am."

Putting his arms around her, he grinned. "Because you cannot resist my charm."

Shane forcefully thrust him away from her. "Puh-lease, Oliver O'Toole. You honestly think I can't resist you?"

"I know you cannot."

Shane intensely studied Oliver and noticed his immensely self-assured grin. She was well aware of the fact that she should listen to her head and not agree to this crazy scheme of his, but she also wished to vanquish him. She could not allow him to win this time around.

"Very well, Mr. O'Toole. I accept the terms of the wager," Shane agreed as she returned to work. "And just so you know, I would love Italian food tonight."

Oliver concealed a laugh. "You truly expect to be the victor, do you not?"

"Yes, I do. And I expect you to follow the rules you have laid out. I'll set the timer on my computer so you can't cheat that way either."

"Goodness, Shane, do you genuinely expect me to cheat?"

Shane looked at him suspiciously. "Let's just put it this way. I am certain that you have something up your sleeve, and I don't trust you. But I am now officially ignoring you."

And with that, Shane returned to her work. She had remembered to set the timer on her computer, and she was surprised that Oliver grew so quiet. She tried to watch for him out of the corner of her eye, but she did not want him to know that she was searching for him.

Suddenly, Shane felt an unexpected sensation on the sides of her waist, and her brain was quite befuddled to ascertain the source. As perplexed as she was, the feeling was quite disruptive and almost irksome. Worse still, she had an overwhelming desire to laugh.

And then the realization hit her. Oliver was tickling her, and it had been ages since anyone had done that! She had no idea how she was going to keep from letting him win, but she was determined to continue with her work no matter what. If he ever knew, she would be lost. Why on earth would this man put her in this position?

Shane checked the timer on the computer as she tried to appear unaffected by Oliver's shenanigans. She had two minutes left in this wager, and it now seemed like an eternity as her resolve was failing. She was convinced that he had planned this for some time, and she knew he was getting even with her for her pranks. She honestly was not mad, but she only wished she could endure.

Finally, she gave in and laughed. "All right, Oliver, you trickster, you win! Now stop!"

Oliver attempted to appear innocent. "Shane, whatever are you talking about? Are you admitting defeat?"

"You know I am! Now stop!"

"Why, Shane, I cannot imagine what the trouble is."

"Oliver O'Toole!"

Oliver chuckled and let her go.

"It would appear, Oliver, that you have won this wager," Shane said angrily. "But let the record show that you did cheat. You said not touching! Furthermore, that was downright mean!"

In mock hurt, Oliver said, "Mean? Why, Shane, how could you even think such a thing?"

"Oliver, I know you were getting back at me for all those pranks in Pennsylvania, but honestly!"

"Shane, I do not know why you are so upset. I only-"

Shane turned to him with eyes of ire. "Oliver, you knew what you were going to do. You planned it ahead of time. And-"

Oliver took her hand tentatively. "-And you are truly not upset with me because you know you deserved it, and you really believe I was quite clever to do it." He kissed her hand. "That is what you intended to say, right, princess?"

Shane looked at him and laughed in spite of herself. "Oliver O'Toole, I do not know how you do it. I should be boiling mad at you right now, and yet I don't feel that way."

"Shane, believe me when I say I was not attempting to hurt you in any way."

"Oh, Oliver, I know that. I can't say I was truly mad at you. If I don't miss my guess, you have considered doing that for a long time."

"You could say that. From the first moment that you and I had the misunderstanding about the pizza, I wanted to attack you. And the night of our date, oh, it was so tempting. The strange thing is tickling is something that goes way back in my childhood before my mother started working. And, you, my dear, are the one who brought this desire out of me. You affect me like no one else, and I sometimes feel like I am a child again."

"Oh, Oliver, you are quite something. I can't even recall the last time I was tickled even remotely like that. But you indeed won. Albeit not quite fair and square, but you won nonetheless."

"Why would you say my win was not equitable?"

"Oliver O'Toole, I believe the agreement was no touching."

"My dear Miss McInerney, that is where you are wrong. You stated that, but I never officially agreed to it, did I?"

Shane considered the situation for a moment. "My goodness, Oliver, you are right. I never had you figured for a swindler."

Oliver kissed her forehead. "You know, princess, I do not plan to collect my winnings. In fact, I never did. I am quite happy to take you out tonight."

"Now, now, Oliver, a wager is a wager. And I probably owe you reluctant thanks."

"And why is that?"

"Well, Oliver, when you came in, I was so uptight. About many things. You were right in that I should have taken a break when you mentioned it, but I chose not to. The fact that you got me to laugh, even though the way in which you did it is despicable, has greatly relaxed me."

Oliver took Shane in his arms and whispered, "Methinks thou doth protest too much."

"Oliver, something tells me I shouldn't trust you."

Oliver kissed her cheek. "And why is that, my dear?"

"I just somehow think that-Oliver!"

As both Shane and Oliver both continued their jocular behavior at the DLO with much laughter and banter, they were quite unaware of the dark shadow that entered the office. In the midst of all this tomfoolery, a tall, skinny blonde appeared in the outer part of the office. She regarded the unfolding scene with disdain and a haughty smile. If anyone had spied her, they would have been drawn to her obvious glamor.

The woman positioned herself in the brightest area of the office and struck a provocative pose. "And is this the way a husband properly welcomes home his loving wife?" she voiced.

At the sound of her voice, both Shane and Oliver ceased. Oliver's blood ran cold as he knew exactly whose voice he had just heard. And Shane seemed to remember the voice from another life, but she also knew who this had to be.

Oliver straightened his clothes and stood to face the woman whom he had married seven years ago-Holly O'Toole. He was at a complete loss for words as he took in the view before him. There stood Holly, the woman he thought he had loved at one time. However, all he felt now as he stared at her was repulsion, shock, and anger. He did not even feel an ounce of fervor nor joy.

"Well, Oliver, aren't you going to say anything?" Holly asked with a sneer. "Or are you too busy flirting with that blonde bimbo?"

Oliver found his voice. "Holly, I never expected-"

"Obviously, you didn't expect to see me," she drawled as she slinked to his side. "I never would have dreamed that I would leave you for a moment and you would break your vows for some tramp. Who is she? Your secretary?"

"Holly, this is not what it appears," Oliver stated with a tremor in his voice.

"Oh, Oliver," Shane began, "it-"

"Miss McInerney, please," Oliver hushed her. "Uh, Holly, this is my fellow worker, Miss Shane McInerney. She is the one you have to thank for the letter you received in the mail. Her diligence and forbearance against all odds led us to your address. Which, Holly, you never did send."

Holly seated herself on a nearby stool. "Oh, didn't I?"

"No, Holly, you never did," Oliver breathed.

Holly crossed her legs seductively, revealing her perfectly tanned legs. "I'm afraid you're wrong, Ollie."

Oliver cringed at the name. "Holly, you know I detest that name."

Holly sniggered, "Why, Ollie, I do believe you're embarrassed. In front of this ditzy blonde, for sure."

"And that's another thing, Holly!" Oliver shouted.

Sensing that he would explode, Shane jumped between Oliver and Holly. "Oliver, it's not worth it. Just calm down."

"Oh, is little Shaney-waney going to keep little Ollie-lollie in line?" Holly cooed.

At that very moment, Shane twirled around to face Holly. "That's it! Mercedes! Mercedes Wesley! I knew I recognized you!"

Stunned, Holly looked around the office. "Whatever are you talking about? I am Holly O'Toole. The dear and loving wife of the man you were pawing when I came in."

Shane shook her head. "1994, Ballard High School. Washington state. I was the new girl. And for some unknown reason, you decided to wage war against me from the beginning. And you went by the name Mercedes. Don't you remember?"

Holly glared at Shane. "I believe you have me confused with someone else."

"You mean to tell me you don't remember when you set those boys on me and you spread those vicious rumors about my being easy. And then I finally got something over you. It was-"

"Why, Shaney!" Holly stood and put her arms around Shane in a spurious hug. "I almost didn't recognize you. You've gained so much weight since high school."

Shane broke away from Holly with a look of disgust. "So, Holly, what about this name change?"

Oliver had observed the entire exchange with a profoundly perturbed look. "Yes, Holly, I am not aware of-"

"No big deal, Ollie dear," Holly explained. "My full name is Holly Mercedes Wesley. I was tired of people making fun of my first name, so I went by my middle name. Until you came along, Ollie."

Holly touched his cheek and began to plant a kiss on it, but Oliver stopped her. "Holly, why did I never know this? We have been married for seven years!"

Shane placed her hand on Oliver's shoulder in an effort to calm him. Holly immediately slapped her hand away. Shane lost her balance and nearly fell to the floor. Oliver rushed to her aid, but Shane motioned for him to stay away.

"How dare you touch my husband, you blonde bimbo!" Holly hissed. "Just because we knew each other in high school does not give you the right to steal my Ollie away from me."

Oliver had finally had enough, and he approached his wife furiously. "Holly, just because you are my wife does not give you the right to come in here and dominate everything. You do not get to throw people around, and you do not get to act like you and I have a happy marriage. You are the one who left two years ago. You are the one who did not leave a forwarding address despite your protestations to the contrary. You are the one who broke my heart, and it was Shane who healed it. You will not call her names, insult her, or accuse her any further. Yes, you are my wife. Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I am an honorable man. And yes, Shane and I care deeply for each other. I'm not ashamed of any of those things."

Holly looked stricken for a moment, and then she sashayed to Oliver, put her arms around his neck, and forcefully drew him into a kiss. Stricken, Shane went back to her desk and sat down. She knew that Oliver and Holly were married, but it was so troubling to see Holly kiss the only man in the world that Shane loved.

Oliver finally disengaged himself from Holly and retrieved his handkerchief to wipe the lipstick off his face. Holly tittered at his obviously red cheeks. She began poking his sides, and he continued to fend her off with an expression of disgust.

"Holly, you know I do not like that!" Oliver cried. "It's extremely painful."

"Oh, but dahling, don't you remember how much fun we had in the bedroom when I poked you like this?" Holly giggled.

"Holly, I never liked this, and I would thank you not to discuss such intimate details in public."

"Oh, you mean in front of your mistress?"

Shane stomped over to where Holly and Oliver were and took Holly's arms away from Oliver. "Holly Mercedes O'Toole, I am not Oliver's mistress. He never asked me to have an affair, and I would not have done that if he had. We are good friends, and I will not stand by and see you hurt the man I lo-uh-care about."

Instantly, Shane's cheeks exploded with crimson shades of rage and mortification. She had nearly spoken those words that she had been learning to announce to Oliver, but that confession almost came out at a disastrous time. She was certain Holly perceived her misstep, and she could only imagine the turmoil now.

Oliver had heard the words the Shane had almost uttered, and it affected him quite differently. Somehow Holly's return meant nothing to him. He had longed for the words "I love you" to drop from Shane's lips, and now she had all but said them. He wanted to spirit Shane away and get lost with her for eternity, but he knew he could not without resolving the "Holly" issue. His wife was here, and it was time to take the necessary actions.

"Isn't that sweet, Ollie?" Holly mocked. "Little Shaney-waney almost slipped up and said she loved you. Too bad she's in love with a married man. What does the Bible have to say about that, Ollie dear?"

Defeated, Oliver went to his desk and collapsed into his chair. Holly followed him.

"Are you looking it up, Ollie dear?" Holly asked. "Do you mind if I sit in your lap before Blondie does?"

He tried to protest, but Holly insisted on sitting down firmly on Oliver's lap. Unfortunately, Oliver was now face to face with everything distasteful about his wife. Thankfully, she was thin enough that it was fairly simple to keep her on his lap (not that he wanted to). Her blonde hair was a different shade than he remembered from two years ago. Then again, she had been living in Paris. Her makeup was plastered on her face thicker than a clown's, in his opinion. However, it would appear that her outfit was the worst part. He could not conceive of how to describe it, but it left very little to the imagination. It was evident that Holly O'Toole had made a break with the woman he ever thought he loved.

"Oh, darling," Holly gushed, "it's so good to be back with you. I've missed you so much."

"Really?" Oliver asked incredulously. "Holly, you certainly could have fooled me. You have not contacted me in two years."

"Oh, Ollie-lollie, I honestly left the address at the hotel desk. I promise, snookie-ookums!"

Oliver rolled his eyes. "Holly, please stop with all those frivolous names."

Holly positioned her head on his chest. "Oh, Oliver, have I been replaced? Does the tramp over there call you cutsie names now?"

Oliver nudged Holly off his lap as he stood up. "Holly, you have got to stop calling Shane names. This is a place of business, and-"

"And what I saw when I walked in was professional?" Holly said as she patted her hair back into place.

"Holly, what you saw was taken out of context," Oliver explained as he walked to the fridge for a Yoo-hoo.

"Still drinking the soft stuff, Ollie?" Holly giggled. "I was so hoping that you would have grown up some in the time I've been gone."

"Holly, could you possibly stop needling me? I don't recall your ever being quite this annoying."

"Annoying? Why, Ollie, you can't be serious."

Holly threw herself at Oliver which caused his opened Yoo-hoo to fall to the ground. In horror, he watched as the drink spilled on the floor. Due to Holly's high heels, she slipped on the chocolate drink. Oliver endeavored to catch her before she fell, but there was nothing he could do. She was wearing a skimpy skirt, and on impact, it tore halfway up the back.

While Holly was surveying the damage, Oliver and Shane cast furtive glances at each other. They did not chance to stare long because they knew they would both be laughing, and that would only make the issue that much worse.

Concealing all amusement, Oliver asked, "Holly, are you okay?"

Holly let out a few expletives without apology.

"Uh, Holly, I would appreciate your not using that kind of language," Oliver said quietly. "How can I help you?"

"You and your horrid office, filthy drinks, and oh-" and she let out another string of expletives.

"Uh, Holly, what would you like to do about your, uh, skirt?" Oliver inquired.

Holly looked at her skirt and noticed that it was rent. "Oliver! What am I going to do? My clothes are all out in the taxi?"

Oliver raised his eyebrows. "You have kept a taxi waiting this entire time?"

"Of course, Ollie. You have the money after all."

"Would you like me to get your suitcase and-"

"No, Ollie. Take off your jacket."

"What?"

"You heard me, Oliver. Take off your jacket."

"Uh, Holly, if you use this and get chocolate on it-"

"Oh, we'll throw it away, Ollie-lollie. You can always buy another. This one is probably old anyway."

Reluctantly, Oliver removed his coat and gave it to Holly. She proceeded to mop up the mess and throw the jacket around her waist to conceal the torn area of her skirt. Oliver knew that this suit jacket would never be the same again.

Holly held out her hand to Oliver, and he helped her up.

"Uh, Ollie, you may wish to speak to Blondie," Holly said. "She hasn't done one lick of work since I got here. I would dock her pay, if I were you."

"Which we're glad you're not," Shane mumbled.

Holly approached Shane's desk and looked her in the eye with a smirk. "You think you're so pretty and sweet and clean, Shaney, but I know who you really are. I remember high school, and I doubt you've told any of those stories to Oliver. Once he hears about what you're really like, he will drop you so fast, your head will barely have time to spin. So, tramp, you leave my husband alone!"

Shane ignored Holly and focused her eyes on her laptop screen.

"Holly, where are you planning to stay?" Oliver asked.

She turned to him with a sickly smile. "Are you still living out in the middle of nowhere? In the God-forsaken place called Boulder?"

"Yes, Holly, I am."

Holly grimaced. "Well, I'm certainly not staying there."

Oliver breathed a sigh of relief.

"So," Holly continued, "you will set me up with a fancy hotel in the town. In fact, let's go into Denver, and we can find the most exclusive place to stay."

"Holly, how long are you planning to stay."

Holly took her long fingernail and traced Oliver's ear seductively. "That's entirely up to you, Ollie. We have plenty to discuss, but not tonight. Let's head to Scranton. You can put me up in a hotel. We'll eat dinner together. And maybe I can convince you to claim your conjugal rights and stay with me at the hotel. It's been so long since we made whoopee."

Oliver's ears turned instantly red. "Holly, enough. Kindly go out to the taxi. I have to complete a couple things here, and I will be right down."

"You mean you're going to stay in here with your blonde bimbo?"

"Shane is the only worker who will be remaining here. She has been here for the briefest time of all of us. So I need to make sure that she understands what to do."

"All right, dahling." She passionately kissed him yet again. "Five minutes, Ollie, and not another sec. Or I'll send out a search party after you." Holly left the office.

Oliver turned to Shane and noticed she appeared to be working hard. He swiftly went to her desk and grasped her hand. She did not look at him. "Shane, please, I am so, so sorry that you had to go through all this. She has turned into someone I do not even know. I promise you that-"

Shane yanked her hand from Oliver. "-she won't insult me again? That you'll divorce her quickly and quietly? That you two won't kiss in the office again?" Shane burst into tears. Instantly, Oliver took her in his arms.

"Oh, Shane, I'm so very sorry," Oliver whispered. "No one should have to go through something like this."

"I know you have to go back to her, Oliver, but-"

"Sh, princess. I will not remain married to her as things stand. I already made up my mind this past week. There is no way I'm going to lose you."

"But, Oliver, she'll use me to take you for everything you have. She'll accuse us of having an affair. She'll-"

Oliver placed a finger on her lips to silence her. "Shane McInerney, you have no idea how much I want to kiss you right here and now. But I will keep my promise to you."

"Oh, Oliver."

"Shane, thank you for what you almost divulged today."

Tentatively, Shane looked up at him. "You're not mad?"

"On the contrary, darling. To know that you feel the same about me as I do you put my mind at ease." He kissed the top of her head.

"Oliver, you'd better get out to that taxi. Or you'll really have a problem on your hands."

"Princess, I want you to know. The times we have had together mean more than you could ever possibly know, and I am confident that God will work in our favor. There is no way under the sun I could ever go back to Holly."

"Oliver, I know you'll do the honorable thing. You'll follow what God wants for you. I just can't believe that I knew your wife in high school. She never told you her middle name?"

"No, she didn't. And to think that she called you all those horrible names and-"

"Oliver, it's no matter. I think it was positively poetic justice that she fell the way she did."

"It was at that, was it not? As Shakespeare does indeed say, 'Sweet are the uses of adversity.'"

"I believe you're right, Oliver. Something good will come of this. But if you don't get going, she'll have your hide."

Oliver turned to leave, and then turned and kissed Shane's cheek. "Shane, if I can contact you later-"

"Oliver, please don't worry about me. Take care of your wife. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Very well, princess. Till tomorrow."

With a heavy heart, Oliver left the DLO. Shane watched him go and waited until she was positive he was gone and in the taxi. That is when she burst into the most bitter tears she had ever known. It was as though the floodgates of heaven had opened, and the pain she sensed inside was worse than anything she had ever felt. To think that Holly was really Mercedes. And there was no doubt in Shane's mind that Holly was going to do everything in her power and beyond to see that the marriage was restored. Shane was assured that God was in control, but how on earth could she be asked to walk through-

Suddenly, Shane heard some voices and saw the DLO office door open once again. Immediately, she knew that Rita and Norman were coming back, and she had to compose herself. She could not tell them what had happened.

Oh no! Shane thought as she looked at the remnants of the Yoo-hoo drink on the floor. I've got to go clean that up. What on earth can I use?

She searched quickly for a rag or paper towel, but she was not swift enough.

"Oh, Shane, hi, "Rita greeted with a smile. "It is so good to see you back. How are things today?"

Shane looked at Rita with red, weepy eyes and attempted to act like everything was normal. "Oh, very busy, Rita. Nice to see you and Norman back."

Norman looked at the floor and noticed the obvious mess. "What happened here?"

Madly wiping her eyes with her hands, Shane responded, "Oh, we, I mean I, I mean-Oh, Norman!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Shane fell into Norman's arms, crying. Norman had no idea what to do, and he looked to Rita for support. Sensing the situation, Rita took Shane from Norman's arms and began to comfort her friend. Norman took on the task of cleaning the mess on the floor.

"Shane, whatever is the problem?" Rita asked. "Is it Oliver? Is he all right?"

"Oh, Rita," Shane cried intensely. "Holly came back!"

"What?" Rita and Norman said simultaneously.

Shane nodded while trying to get control of herself. "Yes, she did. She came back and started bossing Oliver around and calling me all sorts of horrid names. The worst part is that she and I went to high school together!"

"Shane, you can't be serious," Rita exclaimed.

"Remember when I told you, Rita, about all my struggles in high school?"

"Yes. You said the girl's name was Mercedes."

"Well, Holly is actually Mercedes."

"What? How can that be?"

"Her full name is Holly Mercedes Wesley O'Toole."

"My goodness, I had no idea."

"Rita, how on earth did she and Oliver ever get married? I watched the two of them and-"

"Oh, Shane, I didn't know Oliver when he wasn't married. And Holly never came around the DLO much. She always seemed nice. A little nauseatingly sweet at times, but accomplished, put together, and very desirous of Oliver's attention."

Norman, who had just cleaned up the spill, chanced, "Uh, Rita, there are a couple things you didn't know about Holly."

"What, Norman?" Rita asked with a perplexed expression. "I'm not sure I follow you."

"Nor do I," Shane said.

It was clear that Norman was very uncomfortable, but he opened up just the same. "Well, there were a couple times when Holly was a little bit too friendly to me."

Shane and Rita stared at Norman in shock.

He continued. "Oh, I know I never mentioned it, but Holly did make me feel a bit uncomfortable at times."

"What do you mean, Norman?" Rita asked.

"I would rather not talk about it." He walked over to his desk and attempted to get busy with his work.

"I'll ask him later," Rita whispered. "I think he's just a bit embarrassed about it all."

"We have got to get Holly away from Oliver and the DLO," Shane said. "The way she treated him was more horrid than anything I have ever seen."

Rita took Shane's hand. "Shane, remember. God is in control, and He will lead us. Don't do anything rash."

"Oh, I won't," Shane promised. "I'm so sorry I was a bit of a mess when you came in."

"Oh, come now, Shane, what are friends for?" Rita said with a smile.

"And, Norman, I owe you an apology too," Shane said. "I didn't mean to throw myself at you. You were just the closest thing to me when I lost it."

"No trouble, Shane," Norman stated. "After all, we're all friends. It's the least I could do."

"Well, I'm done with being emotional. Let's get back to work," Shane declared..

"Will you be all right, Shane?" Rita asked.

Shane beamed. "With friends like you, how could I not be?"