"No, I'm not." She looked up at the cabin roof and blinked away the tears beginning to well in her eyes.

Once she had full control over her emotions again, she placed a hand on Howard's arm. He didn't like contact, she knew he didn't like contact, but it was important that she held on to him. It was important to Barbara because it had been such a long time since she felt as though Howard was slipping away from her.

"I'm very glad you called an ambulance. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you."