It's not even shock that takes hold of him. But whatever it is, it's numbing, absolutely mind-numbing.

He mentally rewinds the better part of an entire year, all the way back to last Christmas. When the Problems began. When the Misunderstanding happened. When things went Wrong.

Because of a note. From Voodoo.



If Tommy had just calmed down--

If he hadn't jumped to conclusions--

If he'd just listened--



"Oh, fuck... Honey...Kate, I'm sorry..."

He reaches for her, laying a hand on her shoulder, his touch heavy with apology.



Suddenly the shock hits. All those months of hurting, loneliness, frustration, her anger and her silence and her tears, every misstep that drove them apart, the struggle to reconcile--



Voodoo had called Kate a bitch and a whore.

And now the fury hits.

And he abruptly starts getting to his feet.