My right shoulder begins to tingle. Blood carries feeling down my arm and into my fingertips. I reach up to my mouth, which is slightly open, and pinc... the two front prongs of my retainer with my index finger and thumb. I try to pull it out, but my jaw clenches and fights the retainer’s liberation. Undaunted, I wrap all my fingers around the front wire and begin to pull, but my jaw and lips obstinately resist. The wrenching force grossly twists the metal. The green body of the retainer detaches. I hadn't tried to stop her from using the strap on, but I didn't want to encourage her to be using it indiscriminately either. The next morning, we were all quieter with each other, and after breakfast, we all went our separate ways. I think some were worried that we might have taken things beyond some of the other's comfort zones. I didn't believe that, but I did think having the audience might have inhibited all the girls, except for Joyce.On Sunday, Mama, Shirley, Dad and I played a round of. Maybe she'll be conscious for a bit."Sara shrugged. "If she's doped up on pain meds, what good would thatdo?" Aren't you the one who lectured me that we had to try to talk to her?" Touche."**********A soft moan sounded from the bed. Tommi and Sara both started, and theyspun toward the noise.Tommi was the first at the bedside. "Ma?" she asked hopefully. "Canyou hear me, Ma?"Sara, too, was at the bed, and she grasped her mom's hand. "Ma, it'sme, Sara. I'm here, too."The old woman in the bed. “I am.”Then I kissed her. For real.Sometime later, I returned to reality. Heather’s eyes glistened with emotion. For my part, I felt like I was flying through the trees.“I have so missed that!” she whispered, just audible over the bubbling water.“I’ve been dreaming of it,” I agreed. “And now you’re here! There’s so much to do!”“I can’t wait.”“We’re going to fish tomorrow, at a trout stream.”Heather clapped her hands. “Sweet! I’m feeling lucky!”I laughed. “Are you?”“If Lara can beat you, I.