I took Patricia home with me that night. If it hadn't been for her black eye and scared, deranged look it might have really set my wife back to see me come walking in the door with a strange woman. But Anna could see at a glance that she was in trouble, and there's never been anyone like Anna to help someone in trouble. She simply took over, had me introduce Patricia, and without so much as asking one question she announced that supper was ready, and there was enough for all. Patricia protested, but Anna said she would just have a lot of leftovers on her hands if she didn't come on and eat. This bit of friendliness eased the tension just as Anna knew it would.

Supper lasted about two hours that night while Pat and I told Anna the details. When we got up from the table Anna told me to go read the paper. She said she and Pat needed "... to talk a little girl talk." I've never seen one phrase make someone look as happy and relaxed as that one made Pat. She knew then that she was in. She knew there was some place in the world for her.

We let Pat stay in the guest room, and introduced her as a cousin of Anna's who was getting a divorce. This helped explain her anxious appearance and insured her against dating offers from my friends.

She seemed to be progressing quite well, but there were setbacks. No one who had been rebuked and hurt as often as Pat had could open their hearts without a struggle.

I think she cleared her last big hurdle the night John and Sandra came over. John is my best friend. I've known him since I was a kid. I thought it best we try telling someone else about Pat before she left the house, and John was the natural choice.

I broke the whole thing suddenly to John, and his look of suprise rather startled me. I guess I'd forgotten that night on the dam when I'd given Pat the same look. But as Pat told them about herself, the look of suprise faded.

As Pat was finishing her story I glanced at John. There was a tear in his eye. As practical as John was. But when he spoke it was on a mundane note.

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