“He’s going to be okay, isn’t he?” Teri said. “Tell me he’s going to be okay!”

  Corey held Xeke’s head in his hands. “He’s exhausted. How much sleep did he get?”

  “None,” Teri said.

  “You mean he stayed up all night?” Corey said. “I told him to get some sleep!”

  “I know, but things keep happening, and somebody has to take care of it all."

  "Where the hell is Ruddy?”

  “He’s … out,” Teri said. “He’s on his way now.”

  Corey folded his arms over his chest. “You should have woken me up hours ago.”

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  Teri’s face scrunched up and she started to cry. “I’m sorry. But you needed sleep too, and every five minutes something else happens, and everyone needs me, and I can’t rest, and everything’s going to hell. I'm trying.”

  “Woah, settle down,” Corey said. “I’m not blaming you. I just wish you’d woken me up, that’s all.”

  She took a deep breath and shuddered. “You should blame me. It’s my fault. I’m smarter than this. I should have known better.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Corey said. “You can only do so much.”

  Her voice steadied. “You’re wrong. I can do anything. I could have made Ruddy stay. I could have made Xeke go to sleep. I should have taken charge.”

  Corey took a step back. Teri’s face crumpled again. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean that. I would never do anything like that, not to my friends.”

  “I know you wouldn’t,” Corey said. “You need to get some rest. We all do. Look … sit tight. I’m going to go to the doctor’s office to find something to help you relax.”

  “No!” Teri said. “No more drugs.”

  Corey held up his hands. “Fine. But I need some pain pills, and Xeke will too.” He stopped at the door. “You gonna be okay?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll be back soon,” Corey said.

  Teri hugged her knees to her chest and watched the door close behind him.