ãHeroin,ä said Leo, sipping his morning coffee. ãThe strongest thing you can get without a prescription.ä

ãYouâre a·a· junkie?ä Samâs tea cup rattled as she attempted to maintain her composure.

ãItâs the only thing that works, Sam.ä He reached across the breakfast table for her hand but she jerked back. He knew he had to talk fast.

ãLook honey, Iâve been reading about my condition. Itâs called post-traumatic paranoid dementia. It sometimes lasts for years. Eventually it does goes away but I need help to get through it.ä

Samâs eyes narrowed. ãYeah well while you were getting your so-called help Amy found those drawings of yours. How am I supposed to explain them?ä

ãOh Jesus.ä Leo stared at the floor. ãThatâs the last thing I wanted.ä

ãLeo, I hardly know you anymore.ä Samâs eyes filled as she spoke. Leo looked so tired and abandoned. ãI - I love you,ä she turned away, ãbut I just canât marry a heroin addict. I have Amy to think about.ä

He looked up, distraught. ãWhat did she say when she saw the drawings?ä

ãShe thinks youâre a closet comic book artist. She wouldnât believe anything bad about you.ä Sam broke down sobbing. ãI donât want to either. God I donât know what to do·.ä

Leoâs heart ached to see the strain she was under. He fished a handkerchief from his pocket and gently offered it to her. She took it, dabbing her eyes.

ãSam, you know that I love you and Amy more than my life. Tell me what I can do to make things right.ä He spoke slowly, deliberately, trying to bridge the gulf that separated them. ãYouâre my family. Please. Donât push me away.ä

Sam saw him through a curtain of tears. Her heart swelled with love in spite of herself. She knew couldnât say good-bye, not without a fight.

ãYou say this is a passing condition?ä she asked.

ãYes.ä Leoâs words tumbled out, desperate. ãItâll pass. Really. I just canât predict when!ä

ãWell that means youâre not crazy.ä Samâs voice grew stronger, more determined. ãLeo, youâve got to stop screwing around with heroin. If you call Dr. Simms and enlist her help, weâll beat this thing. The three of us will win.ä

Suddenly Leo pushed himself back from the table and strode into the bathroom. Sam heard the sound of flushing. When he returned, he smiled sadly.

ãIs the heroin gone?ä Sam asked?

ãYes.ä

Sam stood up from the table and grabbed Leoâs hands. ãNo more slip-ups. OK?ä They hugged for a long time, not speaking.