I paused again, and without saying a word, she knew. Things quieted down for a few days, then one day my wife wanted to talk to me. She was quite upse...t. She told me that Ron was growing more and more pushy, that he was talking things too far. She told me that she either needed to just get it over and sl**p with him, or she needed to end things right now. She said she was inclined to just end things, since he was growing more disrespectful of her feelings. She wanted to speak to him in person,. I instantly knew that it would be a day filled with distraction, no hope of anything sensible penetrating my already dizzied mind. As I sat, headphones buried in my ears, intoxicating sounds started to take on new meaning, filling my head. Portishead’s honeyed tones taunting me, as I sat starring out the window, questioning over and over what was happening to me.The day proceeded as expected, my futile attempts at concentration failing, as I surreptitiously glanced at my phone, black teasing. ‘Let’s go!’ I grabbed Jen and Kate. ‘We should dance.’ Kate set down her drink and followed after Jen and I. I led her by the hand and started moving to the beat of the music. We all got close to the middle and didn’t think. Just danced. I noticed Kate was interested in a guy that caught her eye. I nodded that she was ok and watched her put her arms around his neck and dance. It was harmless. Well, to the point of their clothes were still on. I just continued moving to the rhythm and noticed. What you and Cathy can do to repay them, is always be what you are now," Billy counseled.Maria felt tears on her cheeks as she spoke, "Billy, thanks, but what if I'm not worth it? Emerson's life is more important than mine!"Billy smiled as he responded, "Maria, don't you see? You are worth it! That answer proved it! Let's get this done and let him rest."Maria spent that evening, and the entire night, sitting by Emerson, placing wet cloths on his forehead to relieve the fever that gripped him..