016

Ryan sat there with his cell phone glued to his ear. He couldn't even begin to comprehend what she had just said. He'd really prayed about calling her, but since his brother's death all he could think about was her. He thought about her incessantly, wondering if she were okay, if she were able to function without a ground available, if she was surviving being alone without protection, without Jared.

Rage and jealousy churned within him. Jared... beloved brother.... Jared.... Wife stealer....

How could he be gone? How could she be his? How could this have happened? He hung his head in his hands.

"Dude, you need to call the president." His companion said.

"I know. This is freaking me out." He hit speed dial on his cell phone to call his mission president who answered on the second ring.

"Elder Patrick?" The voice was businesslike and comforting.

"President." He acknowledged.

"How are you doing Elder?"

"Not good." He stated bluntly. "I think—yeah, I know. I need to go home. I can't deal with this here. I need to go home."

"After our last conversation, Elder, I had a feeling this might be necessary. Do you want to simply take a trip back to Australia? Take a couple of weeks?"

"And get my head on straight?" He choked on the words.

"If that is what is needed." Came the consoling reply.

"Yeah. I think that might be part of the answer. I'll pay for it myself. Have Jacobs come and get Riedlinger tonight. Okay?"

"Son, keep in touch with me. I want a call every day."

"Will do." He hung up and looked at his companion. "Sorry dude." He said and there were tears streaming down his cheeks. "I just can't do it right now. I'm going home."

******