22

Joy dialed Christopher's number and the phone rang for what seemed like an eternity before he finally picked up, "Joy, why are you calling so early? I was up late last night and I'm still half-asleep..."

"Chris, why didn't you come back last night? You promised we'd stay together outside. What were you doing last night? Why did you sleep so late? Where are you now?" Joy asked.

Christopher had spent the previous night with Amanda until 3 a.m., utterly captivated by this enchanting woman. His promise to Joy had completely slipped his mind.

In an annoyed tone, he replied, "You and my mother have been at odds, and I was comforting her all night because she was upset. It was only after a lot of coaxing that she finally calmed down and went to sleep."