Bella rushed downstairs. She was still drowsy from the sleeping pill Esme gave her, and the world tipped precariously about her twice. Luckily, the Cullens' staircase had a very sturdy banister.

"Oh, my God, did he just punch Daddy?" Alice screeched.

Bella's ears picked up the lower timbre of Edward's voice as he responded, but not what he said. She sped up and made it down to the first floor just in time to see Edward open the front door.

Her heart leapt into her throat. Edward didn't understand how Charlie was when he was like this; he would hurt him. `

"Edward, stay out of it!" Esme admonished. She stepped into the foyer and placed a hand on Edward's shoulder. "Charlie isn't well. Your father can handle him fine."

Bella stopped behind them. Edward and Esme were watching out of the open front door. Alice was peeking through the blinds in the living room. Red and blue lights from the cruiser sliced across the living room, making her head hurt more.

It felt like she wasn't there. It was as if she was watching a scene from a movie.

"I can at least go turn the lights off," Edward mumbled. He ran a hand through his hair.

Bella closed her eyes for a brief second. This was exactly what she prayed would never happen.

Everyone now knew the Swans' secret. They would never again look at Charlie as the Chief of Police. Someone probably saw him driving over here…maybe he ruined someone's mailbox on the way. His badge was as good as revoked. Years of unmarred work as an officer were now ruined.

As for her; well, they would never look at Bella the same way, either. She would see in their faces the pity that she had come to so adamantly despise.

Bella opened her eyes and put steel in her spine.

She squeezed in between Esme and Edward, wriggling out of both of their grips. Esme called for her to come back inside. She only made it a few feet before Edward's hand closed on her forearm. He yanked her to a stop.

"Bella," he said anxiously, his eyes searching her face. "Are you okay?"

Bella looked over her shoulder at Carlisle and Charlie. Carlisle had Charlie pinned to the ground and was talking softly to him. Even in the darkness she could see his eye was already swelling shut. "Let go of me."

"No. Wait until they're done."

Bella tried to shrug away from him but he tightened his hold. Edward took a step closer and put his hands on her shoulders. She wanted to push him away, but that would hurt his feelings. She didn't need him to protect her from her own father.

Carlisle eventually got off of Charlie and helped him into a sitting position. Edward's hands slid down her arms and Bella took the opportunity to break free.

"I can turn the lights off," she muttered. Edward reluctantly let her go. Bella gave the two men a wide berth and went around the car. She slipped into the driver's seat and cut the engine. Without the lights, the yard was much darker. Bella felt braver under the cover of night.

"Carlisle, if you can help me get him into the car, I can take him home," she offered. It was difficult to keep her voice steady.

Edward suddenly appeared at her side and his pale face was visibly troubled. "You're not going anywhere. Come inside with me."

Bella placed her hands on the steering wheel. "I have to take Charlie home. He needs to go to bed."

Edward tucked her hair behind her ear and then let his knuckles graze her cheek. "Come on, tough girl. Carlisle and I have it all worked out."

Bella met his eyes for the first time since class that morning. He was batting down her defenses, one by one, weakening the dam that held back her emotions. "What do you mean?"

"He's staying in Carlisle's study tonight. I'll bring the cruiser back to your place. Everything's fine," Edward said calmly. "Why don't you go inside with the girls and eat something?"

She shook her head. Biting her lip didn't stop her chin from quivering or the sudden onslaught of tears. "No. I can do it. I can take care of him."

Edward crouched at her side. He reached up and his hand smoothed over the back of her head. He pulled her to the side, to his side, and Bella was unable to stop herself from bursting into tears. Edward caught her as she tumbled into him and he sank onto the ground.

"Sssh, it's all right," he murmured. Edward wrapped around her like a big cocoon and she felt so tiny, folded up and safe in his arms.

"Bella?"

Edward felt Bella's body stiffen. She jerked away from him and wiped at her eyes. He tried to catch her eyes again but Bella was already pushing him away again.

"Bella," Charlie bleated. He sounded pitiful; a pathetic, sloppy excuse of a man.

"We're going inside now," Carlisle said in a louder voice. "Charlie and I will be in my study if anyone needs us. Bella, Edward, no school tomorrow, I think. Edward, when you're ready, Alice will follow you to the Swan household to drop off the cruiser."

Bella tried to stand up but Edward locked his arms around her waist and pulled her back down onto his lap.

"Let go of me," she snapped. Bella looked up at Carlisle. Charlie's arm was over his shoulders and he was leaning heavily on him. Furious that Edward was holding her back from aiding her own father, she glared down at him. "Edward, let go of me."

He waited until Esme shut the door behind Charlie and Carlisle to release her. Bella took a step away from him and eyed him warily. There was an awkward, heavy pause between them.

"Do you want to come with me while I drop the cruiser off?" he finally asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans."

Bella shook her head. "I should stay here with Charlie."

"Carlisle is taking him to rehab tomorrow."

Bella took in that information silently. She nodded once and turned around. Before Bella reached the front door, she heard the cruiser start up and the garage door open. She paused and watched Alice's little Corvette pull out. Her headlights cut across the lawn and she sped up, following the cruiser down the driveway.

Esme was waiting for her. "Bella, there is some soup on the stove for you."

"I'm not hungry," Bella said flatly. She cringed at how ungrateful she sounded. "Esme, I'm sorry for – "

"We're going to skip right over that conversation," Esme smiled. She gently guided Bella into the kitchen and pulled out a chair at the table. The table was set for one. "Have some soup. Carlisle will be out in a moment."

Bella wasn't hungry until Esme placed a steamy bowl of fragrant vegetable soup in front of her. She picked up her spoon eagerly, realizing that she hadn't eaten since that morning at the cabin. Her mouth watered and Bella promptly burned her tongue.

She placed the spoon back down and dug into the crusty Italian bread Esme brought over. She dipped the bread into the soup and savored the warmth as it traveled down her throat and into her stomach. Esme fluttered around the kitchen, tidying up and sneaking looks at her whenever she thought Bella wasn't looking.

Bella was halfway through her second bowl of soup when Carlisle finally came out of the study. She kept her eyes downcast until he sat down at the table across from her. Esme tossed a package of frozen peas between them and Carlisle reached for it.

Bella looked up and gasped aloud at the black and blue surrounding his eye.

"Worse than it looks," Carlisle shrugged, winking his good eye. "Tomorrow I'll actually have to thank Charlie, because Esme has always loved how I look with a good black eye."

Bella's gaze switched over to Esme, who giggled and blushed. She sat down next to Carlisle and kissed his cheek. "It's true. I've never been able to resist such a tough guy."

"I'm sorry," Bella said in a solemn voice. She knew they were trying to make this easy on her, but it was something that she would not allow to be easy. It wasn't easy.

"You told Esme that you were going home to Arizona."

Bella swallowed hard. She nodded, sure that Carlisle would be upset with her.

"Your father told me no one is in Arizona," he said in a kindly voice. "Your mother is traveling with her husband." He paused. "You can't stay by yourself, Bella."

"I would have been fine."

Carlisle chuckled. "Of that, I have no doubt. But in order to put your father's mind at ease, and mine, as well, you'll be staying here with us for a while."

"Edward said something about rehab?" Bella questioned.

"Yes," Carlisle nodded. "Charlie has agreed to go into a thirty day intensive rehabilitation program. He may not qualify for something so drastic, but he feels, and I agree, that it would be in his best interest to participate in it. I can get him in for free."

"He asked that you stay here instead of returning to Arizona," Esme told her. "He doesn't want Renee to know he failed you again."

"He didn't fail me," Bella muttered, her eyes burning.

She suspected that the Cullens didn't feel the same way, but they did not disagree. At least not verbally. Carlisle cleared his throat. "As far as I can tell, no one outside of us knows the extent of your father's drinking habit. I told him that in exchange for completing the rehabilitation program, I would keep his secret and cover his tracks with the town. Luckily, he did no major damage tonight."

"What will you tell everyone?"

Carlisle sat back in his seat. "About Charlie's disappearance? We'll stick with the story that he is ill and needs some treatment from a hospital in California. The closer to the truth, the better."

"And your eye?" Bella frowned.

"Didn't you see me playing catch with Edward outside just now?" Carlisle asked teasingly. "Boy's got an arm on him."

Bella grudgingly laughed. She noticed the way Esme squeezed Carlisle's hand. It was oddly intimate and Bella felt as though she was intruding.

"Well, it's getting late," Esme said. She stood up and took the frozen peas back from Carlisle. "Just past midnight. Bella, honey, I know you've been sleeping most of the day. Feel free to roam around, read or watch television. Whatever you'd like."

Carlisle smiled at her. The bruising around his eye was a dark purple and it contrasted vividly with his pale hair and skin. He laughed and shook his head. "Not as bad as it looks, I promise. Good night, Bella."

Esme came around the table to brush her lips against Bella's temple. "When you finish, just leave everything here. I'll take care of it in the morning."

The two left the room hand in hand. Bella blushed, too aware of the way Esme was pressed to Carlisle's side. She had a feeling that Carlisle hadn't been exaggerating when he told her that Esme liked the tough guy look.

She wasn't hungry anymore. Talking with Carlisle about Charlie's epic demise had killed her appetite. Bella cleared her dishes (as if she would leave them for Esme). Then she realized that Edward and Alice would be back shortly.

The idea of facing them - of talking to them or even just looking them in the eye after what they had just seen – well, it was simply too much. Bella had taken two steps up the staircase when she heard the approach of a car. That had to be Alice's Corvette.

Bella's heart rate immediately picked up and she decided to take the cowardly way out. She took the rest of the stairs two at a time and made it into her new bedroom before the garage door began to open.

She stripped out of her clothes and traded her jeans for a pair of cotton short shorts. The house was nice and warm, so Bella put on a cami to sleep in.

The sleeping pill hadn't truly worn off, so Bella was grateful to slip between her blankets again. It might have been her imagination but her little nest still felt warm. At the sound of footsteps approaching the room, Bella bunkered down even lower into her covers.

There was a soft knock on the door.

Bella held her breath and wished for Edward to go away. Just for a little while.

But when had Edward ever taken what she wanted into consideration? The door opened and shut again and Bella could feel his overwhelming presence in the small room.

He moved quietly. The bed dipped down under his weight as he sat, and Bella had to stifle the strong urge to roll over and reach for him.

"Bella?" his voice whispered.

She didn't say anything; there was too much to say and yet, nothing at all. She didn't want to have the talk. Why didn't she tell him how bad Charlie had gotten? Why didn't she ask for his help? Bella didn't have those answers.

She remained still and kept her eyes closed. His fingertips brushed over her cheek and Bella heard her breathing catch. He didn't make any indication that he heard, except he bent over and kissed her forehead. The stubble on his chin was scratchy.

Edward sat there for a moment longer and with each passing second Bella was closer and closer to opening her eyes and grabbing him. Just when the temptation to touch him became irresistible, Edward got up and tip-toed out of the room.

The sigh that Bella released was part relief and part regret. She relaxed her body, one muscle at a time, and within a minute she was back under the thrall of Esme's sleeping pill.

The next time Bella woke up, it was of her own accord. The bedroom was pitch black, matching the dark inkiness of the night sky. She yawned and stretched, letting the grogginess fall off her muscles.

Her stomach rumbled loudly, obviously very upset at being neglected. A visit to the kitchen was a must.

She debated putting on a few more layers of clothing, but it was the late and she doubted that anyone would be up. Besides, she was just going to open up the fridge, grab a snack and then high tail it back to her room.

The house was intimidating in its silence. The thick, plush carpet absorbed the sound of her footsteps but Bella was still afraid that she would wake someone up. Her heart was beating far too loudly. Her breathing probably sounded like that of a dying cow. She quickened her steps.

To Bella's delight, the Cullens' refrigerator was filled to the brim. She had never seen so much food in her life – especially prepared food. It was as if Esme was expecting to feed an army at a moment's notice.

In the end, it was a toss up between a bowl of spaghetti and a slice of cheesecake. The deciding factor was the microwave. Could she nuke the spaghetti without waking someone up?

Bella opted for the cheesecake. It was rich and creamy, and she had to stifle a moan when she bit into it. She wondered if Esme had made it herself. It was absolutely the best cheesecake she had ever tasted. Bella finished it quickly and licked some of sour cream topping off her finger, debating another slice.

"Bella."

Shocked, she was frozen for a moment. Then Bella slowly withdrew her finger from her mouth. His voice was deep and roughened by sleep. Edward's hair was flattened on one side and he wore a pair of low-slung black silk boxers.

Suddenly, it wasn't cheesecake that she was craving.

"You were going to leave me," Edward said. His voice sounded uncertain and hurt. He didn't move any closer to her.

A hot flush spread over her cheeks. "No – I – I just, um, needed some time."

"You needed some time?" he repeated. The words, coming from Edward's mouth, sounded completely ridiculous.

"I just needed to get away from everything," Bella mumbled. Her hands needed something to do. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked everywhere except at Edward. She fervently wished that she had put on more clothing. Nights in Forks were chilly, which was reflected in the kitchen's cool atmosphere.

The evidence of that was making two distinct peaks in the front of her cami.

"But not from me," Edward stressed. He took a step forward. "You never have to get away from me. Don't you know that by now?"

Bella shook her head. "It's just going to get worse. I can't stay here. I'm going to move back to – "

Before she could finish the sentence, Edward was in front of her and his hands were gripping her upper arms. "You aren't moving anywhere. You're mine."

A jolt of arousal bolted through her body at his rough touch. "Edward – "

"Shut up," he murmured. The only light in the kitchen was from the glowing display on the coffee maker. Edward's eyes raked over her body as he licked his lips. "If you're leaving me, Bella, do it right now."

"What do you mean?" she asked nervously.

His hands released her arms and moved to her chest. He cupped her breasts reverently, rubbing his thumbs over her taut nipples. Bella let out a tiny cry of surprise and jumped backwards against the refrigerator.

"Leave me now," Edward threatened. "Or you're not leaving at all."

Even in the dim light Bella could see Edward's erection straining against the front of his boxers. His pale skin practically glowed in the dark and she ached to touch him. She couldn't speak.

"So what's it going to be?" he asked simply.

Bella leaned against the stainless steel door of the refrigerator. It was cold and a shiver ran through her body. The movement wasn't missed by Edward, whose eyes dropped down to her chest again. He took a step closer so he was within her reach.

She arched her back so the material of her top tightened across her nipples. The shift of fabric on her too-sensitive skin was delicious enough to make her lips part and gasp for air.

Edward moved too quickly for her to see, and suddenly she was pinned against the refrigerator. Bella stiffened as he molded his body to hers. His skin was hot, almost feverish, and his arousal was long and thick and pressed against her stomach.

"What about me leaving?" she squeaked out, trying to maintain some bit of her sanity even as her insides melted together.

"Fuck you leaving," Edward growled, his lips at her ear. He ground his hips into her and her eyes fluttered shut. He took the opportunity to capture her mouth in a rough, wet kiss. "You're mine. You're staying here. And I'm going to have you right now."

Her eyes flew open. Edward grabbed her wrists with one large hand and held them above her head. His hips kept her body pinned against the refrigerator and his free hand shoved her top up.

"Edward," she breathed. "We can't. Not here!"

He ducked his head and nuzzled his face between her breasts. Bella moaned loudly when his stubble played across her painfully aroused nipples. She tried to pull her hands down but he was too strong. She squirmed, moving her hips, trying to escape the overwhelming temptation that was Edward.

The silk of his boxers caressed her exposed stomach. The added sensation was enough to make Bella close her eyes and give in to the heat Edward was creating inside of her.

"Edward!"

He brought his mouth back to hers and released her hands. They immediately went to either side of his face, stilling his movements.

"Stop," Bella panted. "Let's go upstairs."

He smirked, but instead of replying Edward grabbed her ass and lifted her up in one quick swoop. Bella's hands dropped to his shoulders to steady herself, but in two seconds he had plopped her on the kitchen island.

Edward pulled her cami off and tossed it on the floor. Bella glanced over her shoulder, anxiety coursing through her blood alongside the desire. She tried to cover her chest with her arms and hissed, "Upstairs!"

He shook his head and yanked the front of his boxers down.

Now it was Bella's turn to lick her swollen lips. She knew how smooth and silky his heated flesh felt in her hand, and she wanted it. His dick stood up, so erect that it seemed to curve upwards.

She inched forward on the table. Her eagerness for Edward was almost tied with her anxiety now. She looked over her shoulder again, her ears straining for any sounds coming from upstairs.

"Right here," Edward murmured. Bella's shorts were short enough that he could push the crotch aside and reveal her glistening pussy. His fingers explored her greedily, until she was lifting her hips for him. "Right now, Bella? What if someone walks in on us?"

Her eyes were dark and frantic with need. Her breathing was loud; it was all he could hear. That, and the little moans of encouragement she gave when his fingers brushed over her clit.

"But aren't you going to leave me?" he asked, the innocent lilt to his voice teasing her. He withdrew his hand from her shorts and brought one finger to his mouth. He sucked on it exactly the same way she had sucked the cheesecake off of her own fingers. "Maybe you don't want to do this."

"Don't tease me," Bella whispered. Her emotions were going haywire and she was suddenly on the verge of tears.

Edward's face darkened. "You come into my kitchen, dressed like this, and now you tell me not to tease you?"

"I just wanted something to eat," she tried to explain. "I didn't think I would see you."

He nodded. "I know. You've been avoiding me. If you thought there was even a chance that you'd see me, you would've stayed hidden in your bedroom. But I've been waiting for you to get up."

"I thought it would be easier if we just..."

"Lay down," Edward commanded. She looked nervous, almost apprehensive, so he smiled. "I just want something to eat, too."

Her eyes widened at his crass joke and Bella tried to sit back up. Edward splayed one hand over her lower stomach to immobilize her. She tried to squeeze her legs shut but his broad shoulders had already worked their way in between them.

Urgency boiled in her veins. Bella glanced at the kitchen door, positive that at any moment Carlisle or, God forbid, Esme, would walk in on them. She was still worrying when she felt the first lush stroke of Edward's tongue.

Her pajama shorts were pulled all the way to the side and his face was buried inside of her shorts. Bella writhed underneath him, trying to get away from him but trying to get closer to him at the same time.

He stopped teasing her and focused directly on her clitoris. Bella slapped a hand over her mouth because she knew the sounds escaping her lips were much louder than they could get away with. Her muscles began to tighten, anticipating that sweet release.

"Harder," Bella begged. She raised her upper body to watch him, supporting her weight on her forearms.

He abruptly pulled away.

"Edward!"

He towered above her and shook his head. "You've been a bad girl. You don't get what you want tonight."

Bella felt her cheeks flood with color. This Edward was so brazen, so unlike her Edward. He was punishing her! The thought shocked her. It scared her a little, too, and to her surprise…it aroused her.

Before she could think anymore, Edward took her by her hips and slid her off the counter. She stood before him, half-naked, and shivered with excitement.

"Turn around," he said quietly.

Bella felt her eyes practically pop out of her head. Turn around? She was frozen, just staring at him.

He firmly but gently turned her so she was facing the table, and she grabbed the edge for support. Edward's hand traced up her spine and she shivered. Her nipples ached for more attention, but he simply ran his hand back down the smooth line of her spine.

Edward pushed her forward so that her hips bumped against the table. Then he gently applied pressure on her upper back so she leaned forward, until her chest and stomach were flat on the cold countertop and her ass pushed back against him.

He ripped down her pajama shorts and they pooled on the floor around her ankles. The cool air on her ass made her squirm. She felt his hot flesh, long and hard, graze her skin. Edward pressed his hips against her and moved them minutely, just enough to simulate what she wanted so badly.

"Please," she whimpered.

His hand traveled slowly over the curve of her ass, continuing lower to the juncture between her legs. She was hot and ready for him.

"Please what?" Edward asked.

He was teasing her, yes, but she could tell he was teasing himself, too. His voice was tight with want and need. He couldn't hide that from her.

"I – I want you," she stammered. Bella laid her flushed cheek on the cool tabletop.

His hand had been caressing her the entire time. He pulled away for a moment and she was about to murmur her dissent but then he smacked her ass loud enough for it to ring throughout the kitchen.

Bella gasped loudly, more out of shock than pain. She tried to push herself off of the table but Edward had her efficiently pinned down. "Edward, what the fuck – "

His hand smoothed over ass again, and this time when he pulled away she was prepared for the lightly stinging slap. This time, it sent a flood of heat to her bottom. Bella bit her lip to keep from making any noises.

Edward wasn't sure if he was pushing her too far. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table so tightly that her knuckles shone white. He smoothed over her ass again and she pushed back against his hand. He dipped one finger into her folds, shocked by how wet she had become.

Bella liked it. She liked getting spanked.

The next slap landed on her pussy and the bottom of her ass. It sent vibrations to her clitoris and Bella couldn't stop the moan that slipped out.

"Are you leaving me?" Edward asked roughly. He slapped her again. This time when she moved against his hand his cock brushed against her slit. The slippery heat caused him to shudder. "Bella!"

"No," she whimpered. "You know I'm not. I couldn't."

Edward leaned over her, pressing every inch of his body against her body. "Are you saying that because you want me to fuck you, or do you mean it?'

"Both!"

He laughed shortly and straightened. Bella braced herself for another blow, but instead his hands moved to her hips and squeezed tightly once. Then he drove into her with such force that her feet lifted off the ground and she slid forward on the table.

"Oh, God," Bella gasped.

Edward reached around to cover her mouth with one hand. His hips never stopped thrusting and he had never reached so deeply inside of her. "Can you be quiet?"

She nodded against his hand and he let go. His free hand moved to her shoulder, slamming her back against him as he pushed forward inside of her.

"You can't leave me," Edward groaned. "Don't you feel how good we are together?"

Bella couldn't respond. She tried to nod, but her movements were jerky and all she could focus on was what he was doing to her. All of her attention was on the spot where they were joined together.

"Bella," he moaned. "Tell me. I need you to tell me."

Her hands still held onto the far edge of the table. Edward covered one of them with his and bit her ear lobe. "Please, Bella."

"Edward. Ed-ward. God…I love you. I love you! I'm not going to leave you, I promise," Bella panted. She couldn't stop speaking; she couldn't stop feeling. Edward was too overwhelming – he was too much of everything.

He pounded into her as roughly as he dared. As long as she was moaning and squirming, he knew she was okay. Then she froze – and that meant she was close. He wouldn't be able to last much longer, because as soon as she started to tighten around him, he was a goner.

"Bella, so good," he murmured. "Fuck. Every time – you – it's too good. So good."

"I love you," she said again. She wanted to hear him say it. She wanted to know that despite everything, Edward still loved her.

"Yes," Edward hissed. He leaned over her again and put his weight on her. His thrusts became more shallow and faster. "I love you. More than anything. I want you to be mine. You are mine."

Bella held her breath, needing just one more thrust, and then her body shattered into a million pieces. Her muscles clenched and relaxed and her back arched of its own accord, slamming her head back into Edward's chest.

He grunted deep in his chest and when she arched up against him he grabbed her, palming her breasts and yanking her flush against him. Her orgasm was squeezing him tight – so tightly – and then the fiercest orgasm of his life almost crippled him. He fell against Bella, breathing heavy and exploding into her.

Bella relaxed underneath him and rested her head on her forearms. He held the majority of his weight off of her but put his head down on her shoulder.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked softly. Bella shook her head and he heard her sniffle. "Are you crying?"

She shook her head again. Edward pulled out and tucked himself back inside of his boxer shorts. He took her arm and helped her stand up; her legs trembled. She faced him, red-faced, and with tears sparkling in her eyes.

"I hurt you?" Edward repeated, his voice sickened. "Bella, I'm – "

"No," Bella shook her head. "They're good tears."

He scowled, obviously not believing her. "There's no such thing as good tears."

"There is," Bella insisted. She hugged him tightly. "It's just been an emotional day."

He tried to ignore the fact that her naked body was plastered to his. "So I didn't hurt you?"

Bella rolled her eyes. "No…you just surprised me a little bit."

"I surprised myself," he admitted. Edward kissed her, his mouth claiming hers all over again, and then he pulled away. "You're not going anywhere."

"I know," Bella blushed. "I'm sorry…I was just really upset."

"Next time," he said, putting a finger under her chin and forced her to look up. "You come to me when you're upset."

"And what? You'll spank me?" she teased.

"If you want," Edward grinned cockily. "And you probably will, considering how much you liked it."

If possible, she blushed even redder.

They both jumped at the sound of the second floor's toilet flushing.

"Oh, my God!" Bella whispered shrilly. She smacked his arm. "Someone's awake!"

"Hurry up, get your clothes on," Edward urged. "And we'll sneak upstairs and do it again."

Bella scrambled for her clothes, glowering at Edward when he just laughed at her instead of helping.

Life suddenly seemed a lot more manageable. Maybe it was the amazingly intense orgasm that Edward had just given her, but it seemed that she dreaded the next day a little bit less…and that was everything to her.