Outside Omens

John nodded somberly, unsurprised by either statement. "Yeah, I figured. Told you once before, he's mad about you," he said, sensing this might be the only time they would broach the subject directly. An unconscious frown creased his forehead, and he cleared his throat uncomfortably, thrusting his hands in his trouser pockets.

"Sometimes that's just not enough," he concluded bleakly.