How often had she said the same thing? Shirley closed her eyes, but tears squeezed past anyway. She couldn't do this. She couldn't stay here chasing after some errant teenager when two of the three people she loved most in the world were in such trouble.
"I'm coming home—"
"No! You can't. Promise me you won't, Shirley. You know how Ben is with the damn agency—the client is all-important. He wouldn't want you here. You know that."
She knew. But if he died while she was stuck here, and she didn't get the chance to say good-bye...
"Promise me you'll stay. Promise me you'll find the teenager for him."
"If you'll promise me you'll call if his condition worsens again. I need to be there if ... if..."
"I will. Take care." "You too."
