Slowly, | collected the pencils, took backthe books, made my bed cleaned the socksand swept the floor, even on her side. I gotso into my work that | even didn't noticeKate had sat up. She was watching, hertears dried and her expression one ofdisbelief. Then, she reached out her handsto grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. Shesmiled at me,“Thanks.” Kate and I stayedroommates for the rest of the year. Wedidn't always agree, but we learned the keyto living together: giving in, cleaning up andholding on.