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pleaded, tears filling her pale eyes. "What about all the plans we made?"
Jessica had never felt so low or guilty. She was fully aware of their dream for her. They had never had an education, and for years they had talked of nothing else for Jessica. It was as if they wanted to relive their life through her.
Jason shifted around uncomfortably, his eyes searching for Jessica's.
"It will just have to be annulled," Uncle Fred said, sitting down wearily in his chair. The late-morning sunshine shown on his face, which had grown pale and ashen since they had entered the room only minutes earlier.
"Fred, take your medicine," Aunt Rainey pleaded between tears, getting up to get the amber-colored bottle from the shelf.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we love each other, and I can't let you annul the marriage," Jason said firmly.
"You don't have a damn thing to say about it, son. She's under age," he said bluntly, popping one of the tiny white pills under his tongue. "I can't let you destroy something we dreamed of and worked for all our life. You're a fine man, Jason. I have no qualms about you as a person. I've known you all your life, but I'll move heaven and earth to get this marriage set asideannulledwhatever it takes. You can trust my word on that, son. Jessica.!"
Jessica snapped to attention, her heart feeling as though it were being torn in two. "What, Uncle Fred?"

 

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''Go to your room, girl. I'll handle things from here on out!"
Jessica looked wildly at Jason, tears flooding her violet eyes. "But, Uncle Fred, I love him . . ."
" I said go to your room, girl! " he roared.
"Jessica." Jason's helpless voice came to her. "Stay here. Don't leave me. Somehow we'll work this thing out together." His beautiful green eyes were pools of living torment.
"I'm sorry, Jason. It's out of your hands," Fred told him grimly.
"Come with me, dear. Let me take you to your room." Aunt Rainey reached for Jessica's hand. "Let the men settle this alone."
"No," she screamed, her nerves finally breaking. "Just leave me aloneall of you. Just leave me alone!" Tears were running in rivulets down her cheeks.
Suddenly Uncle Fred gasped sharply, and all eyes in the room focused on him.
"Fred!" Rainey ran over, clutching his arm, turning back pleadingly to Jason and Jessica. "Please," she begged, "do as he says." Her tired old face was filled with pain and worry.
"Are you coming with me, Jessica?" Jason asked tensely. "I don't want to do anything to jeopardize Fred's health, honey, but don't let them ruin your life," he pleaded. "Don't let them do this to us, Angel."
"Oh, Jason, don't make me choose between you and them." How could she choose between breaking Uncle Fred and Aunt Rainey's hearts, maybe bringing on a fatal heart attack in the processand giving up the man she loved more than her own life. It was an impossible decision.
Jason started slowly for the door, defeat showing plainly on his handsome face.
"All right, Jessica. I'll try to make the choice for you. Maybe they are right. Apparently you are too young for

 

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marriage. But when I walk out that door, there'll be no turning back. Either you come with me now, or we'll both forget this marriage ever took place.''
Jessica looked around at the faces in the room, Aunt Rainey's tear-streaked one, Uncle Fred's sickly gray one, her beloved Jason's. Death would be an easier choice for her at this moment.
Recognizing the torn look of anguish on her face, Jason slowly opened the door, his eyes growing misty. "Goodbye, Jessie," he said softly and walked quietly out of her life.

Tears welled up in Jessica's eyes at the painful memory of her lost love, and she hoped the judge would hurry. She sat drumming her fingertips on the arm of the old chair as she stared at the wall in front of her, rapidly blinking back her tears. Resignedly she realized she had no control over the memories or the emotions that seemed to flood through her, and if she was ever going to get through the reading of the will,