<div class="floatright">(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_et9ttl8zdzQ/TD_-vwBMOGI/AAAAAAAAN5E/eP7JumXuE2M/s1600/1a3f651e06434edab4aee510aaf9f5b6.jpg)</div><br/>Michelle leaned in, trying to give Rei a hug of reassurance.  "I'm sorry," she said gently, still trembling a little.  "First I couldn't stop staring at Tabby when I first met you, then I'm paralyzed when I get the bad news, now I'm not even sure if I can handle all this."  Even though Michelle couldn't shake the feeling that her own life was falling apart, she knew it wouldn't be any easier for Miyuki's sister.  "I'm not used to this.  I'm not used to having friends who genuinely care about me for me.  I guess I'm kind of taking it out on everyone."<br/><br/>She took a deep breath before letting go.  "Let's go in together and try to explain things.  We can't let Jessica do it or she's just going to freak."  Almost as an afterthought, not wanting to get further distracted, she offered Rei the book of Uncle Remus stories before she forgot entirely.