**I wish I could help her understand. It's not like he left on purpose or something. We have to get past this.** He is almost ready to break the silence that is settled through the room like a suffocating blanket when his mother bursts into the room. **She looks more and more tired every day. How long can she keep this up, I wonder?** His musing keeps him from minding that she orders him around like a child. **I was just about to take Luna out when she interrupted me.** Nora gives him a funny look. Not quite sure what she is asking, or what she wants, he shrugs and uses the pretense of walking his dog to leave. He clips the bright red leash to her leather collar and walks out the door. **I remember when Dad gave me--