"Ssssaaaallllttttyyyy!"
Maggie Bliss' forlorn wail woke me up. I looked at my alarm clock. 11:35 pm. Rolling out of bed, wearing just my boxer briefs, I went to the guest room. What could be the matter?
I stood in the guest room doorway. Maggie lay in bed, naked, her face red from crying. I approached the bed. "What's wrong, Maggie? What's got you upset?"
"Derrick!" she sobbed. "He just texted me, saying he didn't love me anymore. Said I was too darn nerdy!" Maggie broke into fresh tears. "I thought he liked me for my nerdiness!"
I came over and sat next to Maggie. Taking her hand in mine, I looked at her. "Maggie, that just sounds like a really lame excuse to break up with you. I don't think you're 'too darn nerdy'. I think you're a very sweet girl." I gently squeezed her hand. "I think any guy would be happy to have you as a girlfriend."
Maggie looked at me, her tears giving way to a tentative smile. Then she hugged me and whispered in my ear, "Thanks, Salty. You're the best." She kissed my cheek, then lay down on the bed. "I think I'll be able to get back to sleep now. Good night." Maggie rolled onto her side and soon fell sound asleep. "Good night, Maggie," I whispered. "Sleep tight." 
