One afternoon, Hopkins appeared with an envelope addressed in a familiar hand, Piggy’s.

Dearest Tommy,

It can’t be true – but I fear it is. I ran into our Charles last week and he told all. Actually he said little, but I wormed it out of him. I am so sorry for you, I really am, and sad for Billy, too.

Be warned: I’m descending on you for luncheon, today. We can cry over lost loves together – what my loves lack in depth they make up in sheer number.

At one, then?

Piggy

Hopkins had stood silently by as Tommy read the note. “It seems I have a friend stopping by for lunch,” Tommy informed him.

In reply to Hopkins’ question as to what to serve, Tommy responded, “It doesn’t matter so much as to what as to enough – Piggy is quite an eater. I leave it to you and Mrs. Hopkins. And thank you, I would have been too embarrassed to see people, but you make it all so pleasant. I’ve come to depend upon you both.”

***

“So many stairs.” Tommy could hear Piggy complaining loudly long before the pink head came into view. “Well, it’s very nice once you get here – but all those stairs.” Tommy showed Piggy into the sitting room. He sat on a chair on the opposite side of the room.

“I’m not going to bite,” Piggy exclaimed. “And I’m not going to chase you. That was all in fun, and baby, what’s happened to you is no fun. I’m thankful my own parents have left me alone – but I’ve never been so tied up with someone, like Billy was with you. I am truly sorry for what happened. And I want you to know that you can trust me as a friend. If you ever just want to go out, I’m there for you.”

Tommy nervously accepted Piggy’s kind words. Tommy explained that he feared going out with Piggy’s crowd, he was only in it because of being with Billy, and the memory of those times was painful.

Tommy offered lunch. Piggy entertained as best he could during the meal, but Tommy was distracted. They finished quickly and Piggy stood to go. “Tommy, I know I teased you when you were with Billy. And I still find you incredibly attractive. But I want you to know that even if most of the time I’m a flirty, lascivious queen, I also consider myself a friend. I’ll back off – for now – but if you need anything, do call, I’ll do what I can for you, if only to go out for some dinner. You take care of yourself, but call, remember call me.” Piggy walked toward the door, but before going out, retraced his steps and gave Tommy a hug, a chaste, brotherly hug.

Tears ran down Tommy’s face. Piggy’s visit had brought back the pain of losing Billy, the loneliness of his life. As he stood weeping, he heard Piggy go down the steps and out the front door. He sat in his chair, dropped his head on his arms and let the emotions pour from his heart.