Her parents stared intently at their coffee and it was all she could do not to storm out right then. Brody darted her a questioning glance, but she ju...t shook her head. As though someone had poked her, Judy popped out of her seat. "Oh, Ryan, I almost forgot—I have a box of things for you. We're cleaning out; you know how things pile up in the basement. I'll be right back." They were quiet while she went into another room, then came back with a medium-sized cardboard box. "RYAN" was scribbled in. It was one of the moments after lunch when Irene and Jade were cleaning up after the men had left for their chores or work in the fields that Jade stopped and turned to her mom. Irene sensed something about her daughter and turned to her.Jade confessed, “Mom, you remember when we first came and Otis said the ‘wife’ thing wasn’t real?” Irene nodded and gave Jade her full attention now. “Well, I’ve been thinking and I don’t think that can be true. I mean it had to have an element of truth when he. . twisted, I guess." I sit down again and put my head in my hands.The exam room door opens and Dr. Steve actually looked angrier. He opens his mouth then does a double take on Beth. He swallows whatever he was going to say first. "Ladies, forgive me, I'm the only one on shift at the moment and I have a patient. I'll be with you in a moment. Are either of you in pain?" No." Barb answers."I'm Beth. I'm here about Alex." I see." Steve looked at Barb. "Are you also here about Alex?" I'm here about. "This is better we could have hoped for. You can say out here with the blue team if you want. Perhaps if you get tired though, you might want to nap in Spirit House. It's just a two minute trip through the tunnel." Right. Mark, Leon, Lois, everybody, take care of yourselves. Don't be heroes. Be sure to get back here on time. Kiana, Kahoku, this goes for you too. Tom and I both considered you our adopted children, the years you were at Berkeley." Kiana nodded and hugged Ellen, and then prepared.