Derrick didn't say anything and was simply staring at me. I knew he had something to say to me, but he wasn't ready for what he wanted to say, so I waited for him to pick up the pace and shift my position to his side, holding his hand.

This was the best I could come up with. Whatever is going through his head, I'm sure it's not good news, and I had a strong sense while we were eating breakfast that the words he picked up on the phone were not good news.

"And here it is," he said, and I was completely focused on him.

"My front desk...