"It'll be alright," Larry said, and gave Frannie's shoulder a brief squeeze, hoping he seemed more confident than he felt, if only for her sake. Even now he lacked the sort of quiet assurance that had made Stu a natural leader. Fran would probably see right through him.

Before he left, he hastily grabbed a nearby armchair and hauled it over, providing Frannie a place to sit while she waited. Maybe having the door more fully blocked off would make her feel better.

"Sit tight, I'll be back in a couple minutes," he promised, and then sprinted down the hall.