I stopped shivering and started to think of how nice it was cuddled up with Marilyn on that bench. I also remembered the conversation we had when I asked nem to the dance. I forced myself to reach for my coffee and break the mood or I was going to do something that would mess up the fragile bond we had re-established. I turned a little so I could see Marilyn and coincidentally put even more space between me and Marilyn.

"Thanks," I said, "you seem to keep rescuing me." I took a long ...