Sitting on the ottoman, I carefully removed her shoes and socks, noticing that a slight bruise was already forming on her affected ankle."Have you som... ice in the freezer?" I asked her.She started to say that she could manage, but I cut her off and told her that I would make sure she was OK before I left, and that included getting some treatment for her ankle.I left her to retrieve the ice from the freezer, placing it into a freezer bag that I found in a kitchen drawer. Wrapping it in a tea. ”“Some day the world will get its collective head out of its ass,” I sighed.“Don’t count on it,” Elyse replied, ruefully.October, 31, 1987, Chicago, Illinois“I wish I could go to the recital with you two,” Jessica said, “but I couldn’t get the time off this afternoon. And I’m bummed about the Halloween Party!”“Hopefully next year will be better,” I said. “Plus, Halloween is during the week, so maybe Elyse can work around your schedule. Also, Doctor Barton told me that they’re going to videotape. He also knew that she didn't really understand how things worked. He knew that she never would either, but waiting would only make it worse. He nodded his head and told Moon Flower, "I will take care of it. You go back inside and rest." She looked at him funny and said, "I don't need a rest. I just need that smug little bitch to get what she has coming."Fighting Hawk frowned and shook his head. He told her, "Even Kelly doesn't get so moody. Are you going to be like this the whole time that you. "I" I trace the letter carefully in her softness."L"Special emphasis in the vertical."O"Such fun!"V" E"She likes the Es. Her breathing grows deeper and faster."Y" O" U" M"Mmmm. Ms are such a tease.Mary's whisper breaks the silence. "Such a good speller!"I freeze. She's awake! I lift my eyes. She's up on her elbows, watching me. I raise my head. "How long ... ?" I ask softly."Since I put my foot on your back." she replies quietly. "The alphabet was fun. But you know what I need now. .