"Hey Joey, what gives?"

"Are you alone?", Joey quickly asked as if he was holding his breath.

"Yeah. Why?"

"On my way."

The line clicked off and Ben looked at the phone in surprise, wondering what was going on with his friend. Why did he sound so relieved to hear that he was alone? Ben just pocketed the phone and shrugged. He was in the kitchen, trying to fix himself breakfast. He was still skewing the eggs when the doorbell rang.

"Coming!", he called out and kept his word by running to open the door. The person that stumbled past him into the parlour was the person he least expected to see.

"Thought you were at home or somewhere far away."

"No no," Joey replied in an out-of-breath voice as he looked all about his surroundings as if searching for someone.

"You're alone, eh?"

"What's the problem, Joey?", Ben asked, moving closer to him. His friend promptly slumped down on the sofa and held his head in his hands.

"Where does Tara live?", he asked, his voice muffled due to his sitting position.

"What sort of a question is that?" Joey shook his head slowly.

"Answer me, man. Do you know where she lives or you don't?"

"Well.. I.. not really, but.."

"Then you need to see something."

"What?", Ben asked in a sarcastic tone.

"You gonna say she's cheating or what?"

"No," Joey shook his head as he got to his feet. "There's no way to say it. You have to see for yourself. Call me the next time she comes over."

*****

"Hello!", Tara called as she stepped into the house.

There was no answer. It was all quiet. She wondered if Ben was asleep. She called again, but still no answer, so she dropped her bag and went in search of him. She soon found him immersed in a song playing from a headset he had on.

"Hello!", she shouted at the top of her voice.

He started and looked behind him, then smiled as he saw her, and she smiled back albeit weakly. His arms opened wide for an embrace. She rushed in and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You look tired, what's up?"

"Hmm. Nothing. Just haven't been catching enough sleep."

"Don't worry, we can fix that."

She looked askance at him, but he only smiled knowingly. He had a secret idea in his head that he planned to put in motion as soon as possible. He was sure of total success. This time she would stay the whole night.

They were sitting side by side as usual, watching a TV series. He held her in his arms as she placed her head on his shoulder, watching the show disinterestedly. He could feel her breath coming in measured whiffs and he smiled in satisfaction. He'd gotten her. The drug must be working now. He waited a few minutes to let it sink in properly, then he turned to her.

"Feeling sleepy, babe?" he asked softly. She simply nodded as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

"Okay, let's take you up."

He positioned himself properly, knowing how heavy she was and then lifted her into his arms. She didn't stir. He carried her carefully up the stairs to his bedroom and placed her on the bed, almost reverently. Drawing the covers over her, he promptly joined her in bed. She was in a deep sleep now and a proud smile spread over his features. She would thank him for this when she wakes up tomorrow, merry and fit.