Howie and Rae woke up early the next morning to go jogging. Paula and Hoke were surprised to see their son up and out of bed before 9:00.

When they got back from their jog, Rae's pager was going off.

"That's odd. It's my parents. They hate using my pager," she said, picking up the phone and dialing the number.

"Hi Mom, what's-"

Howie watched as she listened to her mother. Her face suddenly turned ghostly pale and she sank to her knees.

"Not Kayla, she's got to be okay. Tell me she's okay mom."

Tears were streaming down her face as she dropped the phone and put her head in her hands. Howie knelt down beside her and put his arms around her.

She sobbed against his shoulder and all he could do was hold her.

Howie picked up the phone and told her mom that she'd call back when she calmed down a little.

Polly came in and sat down beside them, holding Rae's hand. They sat there for over an hour.

Rae's sobs finally quieted down and her tears slowly dried. She looked up at Howie through red-rimmed, swollen and blotchy eyes.

"I'm here for you baby," was all he said.

She smiled weakly, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

He sisn't want to pry, but he wanted to know what had gotten her so upset. Rae saw the questions in his eyes and knew he wouldn't ask.

"Kayla, one of my closest friends, commited suicide last night."

Polly let out a small gasp, but Howie managed to keep his breath steady. The concerned look on his face said it all.

"Her mother found her this morning in the bathroom. She'd slit her wrists."

Polly got up and went to her parents' room.

"Mom, Dad, somehting happened. Last night a friend of Rae's killed herself."

Paula and Hoke ran down stairs and pulled Rae into a hug.

"Rae, if you need anything, we're here for you," Paula said, stroking her hair.