"Huh? Oh, reading e-mail."
There was quiet for a moment. Then Taylor sighed.
"There's this fan I've been writing to for the last few months."
"Oh?"
"Her name's Meredith."
Rita said nothing. Just looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
"She's suicidal and doing drugs. And she's trying to get off them, except her boyfriend is the dealer."
"Ooh." Rita winced.
Taylor sat back in his chair and looked at her.
"I, I had to do something." He said. "Especially considering, considering..."
"Yes, I know. Jade, Marty, I know."
Rita put her arms around him.
"So, how are things going with her? Have you managed to help?"
"Well, considering that she hasn't committed suicide I think I'm helping. I mean, at least she's alive right?"
"Right."
She kissed his cheek.
"I'm proud of you Tay."
Taylor smiled and stroked her cheek, then leant over and kissed her.
There was quiet for a moment.
"You're really worried, aren't you?"
"Very. What's more, I'm... it's kinda disturbing. I mean, I might have... I might have turned out like that..."
Rita touched his cheek.
"No Tay, no, you would never have turned out like that. And I'm glad you're trying to help her."
Taylor took her hand and gazed into her eyes.
"Thank you." He said softly. "Thank you."