I began coughing loud and uncontrollably when I saw there was nothing I could do to stop him from picking the call.

It worked. He was forced to hang up, but my irritation soared when he dipped the phone into his pocket. “Are you okay, honey?”

I reached out for my phone. “My phone….give me my phone. I need to speak with my brother.”

"You can use mine. Let me dial his number for you." He fiddled with his pocket before handing it to me.

I felt so sick lying there with George next to me, and resisted the urge to scream. He seemed to have a natural ability for...