Anne got home to find her answering machine blinking and pushed the 'playback' button. She heard George's voice right away. "Hey, Sis. Guess you must be out. Nothing important, I just wanted to chat. Talk at ya later. Bye."

She wondered whether Jane had stood him up again. She'd always suspected that Jane Parker just wasn't the girl for her brother. Although pretty and slim, she seemed to have an air of superiority about her, as if her beauty entitled her to treat others with disrespect.

Especially Anne. Right from the start, the two women had gone together like oil and water. Every time Anne had made a nice gesture toward her brother's sweetheart, she'd received a harsh rebuke in return. Eventually, Anne had concluded that Jane wanted George all to herself and resented his interactions with any other woman, even his own sister.

Glancing at the digital clock that was perched on the shelf over her bed alongside her favorite stuffed animals from childhood, she saw that it was only a few minutes after nine o'clock, so she dialed George's number. He answered on the second ring.

"Hey, bro," said Anne.

"Anne!" She heard the enthusiasm in his voice, and it warmed her heart. "Hey! What's goin' on?"

"Not much. I thought you had a date with Jane tonight."

"I did, but she cancelled at the last minute. Said she thinks she's coming down with something." Anne heard the concern in his voice, and it made her sick to her stomach. How could he be so blind? "I sure hope it's not serious."

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Anne struggled to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. "I met a new guy today."

"That's great! I've been telling you for ages you should start getting out and meeting people more."

Anne gave a nervous giggle. "Actually, I accidentally locked my keys up in my car, and he got the door open for me."

"Chivalrous of him."

"Not really, since it was his job, but we got together at Starbucks later. He seems really sweet, just awfully shy."

"So will you see him again?"

"I hope so. He's very nice looking, George. He isn't really built or anything, but he has dark brown hair and the most soulful dark brown eyes, plus the sweetest smile."

"Well, good luck. I hope it works out for you, Annie."

"Thanks. I hope so, too."

It took Anne longer than usual to get to sleep that night. She kept going over the date in her mind, wondering whether she'd said and done all the right things. Louis was the first man she'd been out with since her divorce, and she knew that her dating skills were rusty. She smiled as she reflected on how ironic it was that she'd actually felt reassured by the young man's lack of confidence, as if they were both in the same boat.

The following day, she realized with irritation that she needed to do a grocery shop, which ruined her plans for spending the day hanging out in the French Quarter. With a sigh of aggravation, she drove to the local supermarket and, making extra sure her keys were in her hand, walked inside.

Her mood rose with lightning speed when she saw her favorite brand of yogurt on sale, and she began singing 'Stupid Girls' by Pink under her breath as she loaded a cart with her favorite flavors.

After the yogurt, she selected milk and orange juice, then eggs and cheese. She was rounding the corner and headed for the soft drinks when she saw them.

She gasped, wishing that she could shrink to a height of six inches and hide behind a cereal box. The former Jane Seymour was happily chatting away as a charmed Henry nodded and gave an amused smile every now and again. Her belly was swollen with his son. His precious son.

Tears filled Anne's eyes as she swung her cart around and headed for the produce aisle. She finished her shopping as quickly as she could, hoping she could make it to the check-out lane without bursting into sobs.

She succeeded by a hair's breadth and then threw her purchases onto the conveyor belt as the bewildered cashier looked on. Not bothering to make sure that the receipt was correct, she dashed out the door and to her car, where she packed everything into the trunk and sped home.

She'd just gotten everything packed away when the tears started, and once they began, they wouldn't stop. She cried until she could literally cry no more and then cursed herself for the show of emotion.

At least no one had been there to hear or see her.