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Gathering her courage, Abby knocked on the door. When no one answered, she slowly opened it and stepped inside. Against the far side of the restroom, she saw Jake sitting on the floor, his head leaning against the wall. Unsure what to do, Abby closed the door and watched him in silence.

"Leave me alone," Jake pleaded, wiping away the sweat from his face.

"Your boss called me," she explained in a soft voice.

"Go away," said Jake, weakly.

"What happened?"

"What does it matter?" he groaned, in a voice so low Abby could barely hear. "I've lost my job. They're going to send me back to prison."

Then, as if suddenly seized by the horror of the thought, Jake bent over and threw up onto the bathroom floor.

Repulsed, Abby took a step back. Then Jake did something that Abby was totally unprepared for-- he began to cry.

"Oh! God, PLEASE help me!" he wept, his head bowed down in great agony of spirit.

Abby numbly stood there, until Nick stuck his head inside and glared at her to hurry up. Indignant at his impatience, she quickly shut the door once more, and looked back to Jake. Huddled on the bathroom floor, Jake was like a little child with no one to look after him. He was so desperately alone, that even Abby could feel his pain. Then God reminded her that the young man wasn't alone after all, for she was there.

Going to a bathroom stall, Abby returned with a roll of toilet paper, and slowly cleaned up the mess Jake had made on the floor.

"You don't have to do that," said Jake. "I'm not your problem."

"I'm making you my problem," smiled Abby.

It was then that she noticed Jake had wet his pants. Embarrassed, Jake closed his eyes to escape Abby's gaze. Outside the bathroom door, she could hear the crowd of people getting louder.

"Can you get up?" asked Abby, flushing the last of the toilet paper down the toilet.

"I don't think so," replied Jake, struggling to get to his feet, but failing.

"Okay, I'm going to ask you a question, and I don't want you to take it the wrong way," warned Abby.

Jake looked at her expectantly.

"Are you wearing boxers or briefs?" she asked.

"Boxers," mumbled Jake.

"Good," said Abby. "Take off your pants."

Jake looked at her in horror.

"We don't have much time!" exclaimed Abby. "If I can't hurry up and get you out of here, Nick will call the Sheriff!"

Abby turned her back, and Jake obeyed. With his pants in hand, Abby went to the sink and drenched the article of clothing with water. Then she wrung them out as best as she could and handed the jeans back to Jake.

"Hurry up, and put them on!" she instructed.

As Jake did as he was told, Abby took off her jacket and went to the door.

"Nick," she said, seeing he was still out there with the others, "send them away. I can get Jake out of here, but please don't make him walk through all those people."

"All right," said Nick, "but I'm not giving you much more time!"

Abby closed the door and went back to Jake, who was now dressed and trying to get to his feet. When she reached out to assist him, Jake violently pulled back his arm.

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