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While Tamara settled the children for a nap, Bob prepared coffee. He had another appointment that he was already late for but he knew how shaken Tamara was and would stay with her for a while. Bob had never experienced panic in the same way that Tamara did, but he knew from working with her and other sufferers - the intensity of their fears. He would help her all he could but there was a limit to what he could do. His encouragement and support helped her realize that she had a friend in him, but most of the work had to be done by her.

Tamara's voice saying, "Thank you, Bob," broke into his train of thought. As he looked at her, he wished that he could tell her and assure her that everything would be all right. It might have been! She had been doing so well but Steven's affair and leaving had dealt her a big blow. She had a lot of hard work ahead of her but the time Bob had spent with her had shown him that she was a brave lady and would overcome all obstacles placed in her way. If he could only get Tamara to believe that.

"There's no need to thank me, Tamara," he said. "I'm just glad I was there for you." Then he added, "You shouldn't have run, you know." Tamara's eyes flashed fire as she said, "That's easy for you to say!" She was immediately ashamed of her outburst. Bob was her friend as well as her psychologist. She opened her mouth to apologize but before she could, Bob told her that he understood why she said what she did. It was a natural reaction to his words.

As they sat drinking coffee, Bob assured her that he would help her all he could. He suggested she continue to practice without him as she'd been doing, but the thought of going outside filled Tamara with dread. She felt she might never leave her house again!

The telephone rang and when Tamara answered it she heard her mother's voice. She tried to keep her voice steady, answering her mother's questions in a positive manner. Her mother sounded different somehow. Tamara couldn't quite put her finger on what was different about it. Could it be that her speech wasn't slurred? That she sounded more caring? Less criticizing? Whatever it was, Tamara had no desire to confide in her about the day's events and after another few minutes of small talk, she hung up.

When Bob rose from his chair saying he had to go, Tamara's heart leapt! She opened her mouth to say, "Don't go, Bob," but in the same instant realized that she was beginning to cling to him, just as she had clung to Steven. She had lost his love because of that and she didn't want to lose Bob's friendship, so she thanked him again and slowly closed the door behind him.

The silence was suffocating! Tamara could hear the thunderous beating of her heart. The episode in the park seemed to have robbed her of the confidence she had built up in the past few months. She needed someone with her! She couldn't stay alone! Running to the telephone, she dialed Steven's number. When she heard his voice she cried, "Steven, the boys are crying for you. Can you drop by?"

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