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"Where are you going?" she called after him. When he didn't respond, Abby sighed. Maybe the stress was finally too much for him to take, and he was escaping through a back window, only to send a postcard every month to let her know that he was all right. Abby pictured him hitchhiking across America with his ratty duffel bag, trying to find a warm place to sleep each night. She shuddered. Her imagination was a little too good at times.

Thankfully, Jake finally made some noise in the kitchen, proving that he hadn't escaped through a back window, after all. As she heard the utility drawer open, Abby wondered what he could possibly be looking for.

Just as she was about to go see if he needed help, Jake triumphantly appeared with a roll of duct tape. Puzzled, Abby watched as he tore off a long piece of the silvery adhesive. Next, he took her hand in his and tightly bound them together with the tape.

"What on earth are you doing?" she asked, incredulously.

"What does it look like?" he smiled, wrapping the last of the duct tape around their joined hands.

"I can't believe you just did that," said Abby.

Grinning with satisfaction, Jake settled back to watch television. To him, it was easier to adhere himself to Abby, than it was to hold on to her with sheer willpower. This arrangement also meant that he didn't have to use his chest muscles, so his ribs didn't hurt. All in all, Jake was fairly pleased with himself. He had found a way to do something that he was unable to do on his own.

"You're certifiable, you know that?!" laughed Abby.

"Only when it comes to you," he replied, with a shy smile.

"Duct tape-- the secret of our relationship," she mused, only half joking. "Why, it's practically the bond that holds us together!"

"Please, Abby," he begged, beginning to feel silly for resorting to such a desperate tactic, "don't make fun of it. This is worth it, isn't it?"

Realizing that she was at risk of hurting his feelings, Abby quickly quieted down. This was the best he could do, and she didn't want to make fun of him for trying. Abby lovingly squeezed Jake's hand. Yes, it was worth it.

The next morning, Abby found that they had fallen asleep on the couch, their hands still bound by the duct tape. Her husband had his feet propped up on the coffee table, while she had rested against the arm of the sofa. Weary of the still droning television, Abby located the remote between the couch cushions, and turned it off.

"Jake," she yawned, "it's time to get up." Jake slowly stirred, and opened his eyes. "Come on," she coaxed, "undo the duct tape. I have a lot to get done, today."

"Dad said that Mr. Winkler gave you the day off," he recalled.

"That's right, because tomorrow is Thanksgiving," answered Abby. "Uncle Terry and I have a lot of cooking to do, so undo the tape."

Jake looked at her thoughtfully, as if weighing his options.

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