"I don't know exactly how you feel. Our situations are different. Mom and I are not as familiar as both of you are. But ...." Frank stole a glance. His gaze turned sad.

"From what I've heard, the closer a relationship is, the more painful it is to be separated. So, I guess you're suffering a hundred times more than me."

Barbara swallowed hard. Her throat was dry. She couldn't get out the words. Only her eyes spoke. She couldn’t believe that Frank really noticed her.

"You know the others are ...