thing, I've probably messed things up worse than ever. I'm
starting to wonder if Jed and I will ever get together. Hon-
estly, it seems like no matter what I do, everything between
us continually gets worse."
"What in the world happened tonight?" asked Audrey as
she poured herself a mug of coffee and settled onto a stool
on the other side of the counter.
Maggie told her the whole story of how Clyde had been
on the phone and Jed had seen her meet what appeared to
be only Gavin for dinner. "But you know what's really
--I--starting to make me feel bad, Mom? It's Leah. I hate to say
--this, but I'm really starting to resent her. And it makes me
feel just horrible."
Looking for You All My Life221
"Why is that?"
"What? Feeling horrible? Or resenting her?"
"Both, I suppose."
"Well, I feel horrible because she's just a kid who's had a
pretty tough life. And I resent her because sometimes I get - -~
the impression she's actually trying to drive Jed and me
apart-and then I feel guilty for thinking that."
"Well, she might be."
Maggie leaned forward. "Do you really think so?"
"Why not? Jed's probably the best thing that's ever hap-
pened to her in her whole life. I'm sure she doesn't want to
lose him to anyone."
"Or even share him?"
Audrey shrugged. "Maybe not."
Maggie sipped her coffee. "Well, I've been trying not to
think about this, but when Jed confronted me about Gavin
staying here, he made a big point about how the whole thing
made Leah really uncomfbrtable. But I had specifically asked
her just the night before if she felt okay about the whole
thing, and she had assured me she did! And then Jed said
that Leah had told him that I'd flown off with Cohn Byers
in his private jet. Now, why would she say that? You were
there; you saw for yourself that Cohn wasn't anywhere
around."
"I don't know why or if she said that. You need to keep
in mind that you're hearing all this secondhand, Maggie. It's
also possible that Jed's jealousy may have caused him to
elaborate on some things that Leah had mentioned. Don't
jump to any conclusions that you might later regret. Here's
something I used to tell my clients, and I'm sure I've said it
to you before. The safest thing in situations like this is to just
assume the best in another person."
"I suppose you're right..."
"Just the same, I think you should talk to Jed directly, and
as soon as possible, especially after your misunderstanding
tonight. The poor guy's going to need some serious reassur-