I was standing there stunned when a voice behind me made me jump.

"Ah Mr. Hunter," Mr. feeny said.

"Oh. Hi," I greeted him turning.

"Didn't mean to startle you," he looked toward the house, "they argue like that every night. I'm glad she finally kicked him out. It s about time too. Ah," he noticed the drink on the table, "it's a great night for a drink. Any cold winter night is. Now it may be none of my business but what are you doing here all by yourself? This is new, the drinking?"

"Um. Yeah. I haven't been sleeping too well lately got too much going on."

"Have."

"I'm sorry?"

"You have too much going on."

"Oh."

Even when he wasn't in the classroom he was always there to teach.

"Anything I can do?" he asked.

"Yeah maybe."

He waited.

"You see…there's this friend, of mine. These friends."

"This is about you isn't it Mr. Hunter."

"Yeah. I'd just rather…."

"Respect confidentiality. Yes I understand. So these friends of yours what about them?"

"Well. One friend promised the other he, er. Said friend wouldn't say anything about the other's situation. But said friend is worried."

"I see. Has he let this be known?"

"Yes. This friend isn't sure what to do."

"Is this something that could endanger this friend's life?"

"Yes it could it has the potential."

"It hasn't yet."

"Right but said friend would rather…."

"Act early. Well here's what I would do. I'd tell the friend to tell his friend to tell an adult. So the adult could help. If possible get the friend somewhere safe. And be supportive not judgemental. Judging them will only push them further away."

"Thanks you always give good advice."

"Of course."

"By the way what are you doing out here?"

"Oh I just wanted to see what was going on next door."

"Oh."

It suddenly dawned on me that lily, Cory, Topanga, jack Rachel and I should discuss the raising of tom and rosemary.

"Anything else I can help with?" Mr. feeny asked.

"No."

He looked towards the drink; "be careful with that."

"Thank you."

"I've seen one too many people go down that road and I don't want you being one of them. People care about you Mr. Hunter. Your friends. I'm one of them."

"Yeah thank you."

"Of course. Have a good night."

"You too."

He went back inside his house.