It frustrated her that Steve would let her get so close when they were discussing the NFL draft, yet would clam up when she tried to get down to more personal topics. She sensed a kind of fear in him, or a mistrust. It baffled her.

Soon after Steve's birthday, his father announced that he would be leaving for a two-week business trip to Europe. The boy was used to his father's absences. He didn't bat an eyelash when he was informed of the latest project. But Gwen was sure that underneath Steve felt a little lost. His father so seldom displayed affection. How could the boy know he was really loved?

Gwen decided to make the two weeks a special time for Steve. She would do her best to convince him that he need not feel lonely. There was someone close by who really cared.

In between her secretarial and house management duties, Gwen planned special things for her and Steve to do. They went to a baseball game. They went to the natural history museum. Gwen grew distressed when she realized that, the more time they spent together, the more strained the boy grew in her presence. She wondered if there were something wrong with her. Her feelings were hurt.

On a Sunday afternoon, she planned a picnic in the countryside not far from the Manners' large comfortable home. They spread a blanket near a stream. They fished for a while, neither one minding that they did not catch anything. Gwen spread out the deviled eggs and the ham and the homemade bread that she had brought along to entice Steve's growing appetite. She got more pleasure from watching him eat than she did from her own tastebuds. It pleased her to be able to please him.

"Steve?"

"Hmmm…?" There was not much more he could say with a mouthful of egg and ham.