"Poor Ernie," Darlene said softly, her head resting on Dave's shoulder. "What a thing to happen."
"I know," sighed Dave. "He must be going through Hell right now." Pensively, he stared at the TV, didn't notice what was on the screen.
Though he was still despondent, he did feel a bit better now that he was with Darlene. His spirits were still low, his thoughts were still focused on Ernie's tragedy, but he was comforted by Darlene's concern and affection.
After his shift at the steakhouse, he'd hurried immediately to her home. Though her parents were at a movie and the house was empty, Dave and Darlene had retreated to their favorite hiding place, the basement family room. They had been there for a while now, curled together on the old sofa, the TV flickering but unwatched in the da
