Barbie was there…

Everyone in the room was either surprised or confused. Some were both. Some thought Barbie had died in a fire, and some didn’t even know there was a Barbie. Only Barbie, her caregiver, Gloria, and Brad knew everything.

Barbie had been badly burned in the fire that started in the house, but she had somehow managed to get to the potting shed a few yards away. It was there that Brad found  her. Though Brad would never forget those big eyes staring at him, her face was otherwise unrecognizable. Even her hair had burned to the scalp. Neither of them thought it was possible for her to live.

Brad ran to the house next door. There was no one home, but the door wasn’t locked and he was able to use the phone to call an ambulance.

Not knowing what to do for his sister while he waited, he took towels from the neighbor’s house and wet them down with a hose before taking them to carefully cover Barbie’s charred body. Though she was unconscious, Brad knew she was alive. He rode with her in the ambulance that took them to an airstrip. The medics knew if she had any chance at all to remain alive, they needed to get her to a specialty burn center. They airflighted Barbie and allowed her sixteen year old twin brother to go with them. There was no time for questions and Brad didn’t come forth with information they didn’t ask for. Before Brad found Barbie, someone had called their mother’s sister and she had taken Tom, who was only twelve at the time, home with her. 

Brad was told his sister was not likely to live. In fact, it was months before she was out of the woods, physically. It was several years before she came close to being able to function like a normal human being, and many more painful years before she began to look as she did tonight. She was beautiful. 

It had all happened twenty years before. Barbie never regained her sight and one leg had remained dysfunctional. She had to use a cane to steady herself.

As the whole room stared at his sister and she stood in the doorway unable to see them or their reaction to her, Brad could only think about how beautiful and brave Barbie was. He was so proud of her.

Tom walked closer to the two women standing in the doorway and for the second time asked the question he already knew the answer to.

“Are you Barbie? Are you my sister?”

Brad was unable to move.

Barbie reached out and found her younger brother’s face. It took Brad back to the night she had reached out to him with her badly burned hand.

“Tom?…I didn’t know… Brad didn’t tell me you would be here.”

Tears were running down Barbie’s cheeks and Tom was sobbing as they reached out and pulled each other close. There was not a dry eye in the house. Even Miss Bessie and Grandma Helen remained silent for a few minutes.

“Would you all excuse the three of us for a few minutes?” Brad asked. “I think after a very long and painful twenty years, we need to spend a little time together.”

As he walked with his brother and sister to his office, Brad turned to add, “I have just experienced the best birthday I could ever imagine.” His eyes searched and found Jamie who was smiling through happy tears of her own.

Arf…

*** I couldn’t understand why everyone was crying and smiling, but I had to do something so I went to Katie and lifted my paw. That was our signal to perform our special dance. It wasn’t very long, but  Katie and I had worked hard to get here and she looked so beautiful.

Annie…

&&& I like it here. It’s a lot more fun than at Barbie’s house. Arf said I might be able to go with him to the nursing homes tomorrow to cheer up sick people. Sounds like fun to me.

Sometimes the longer you wait for something, the more beautiful it is…

FYI…The link below takes you to a post with the links to all of the Arf stories in case you would like to read them all together.

Murdo Girl …links to complete Arf story

It was a peaceful moment. Jamie and Brad were leaning against the fence around the paddock watching Arf and Annie play as the sun was slowly sinking. Brad knew it was nearing the time when they would have to walk up the path and go back to the house. He wished now he had told Jamie about Barbie, but there wasn’t enough time for that. He was pretty sure Barbie and Gloria wouldn’t be there tonight, anyway. He hadn’t even asked Tom to come.

Even without his brother and sister there, it was going to be a great night. Everyone else he cared about would be gathered around the dinner table with Arf and Annie close by.

“There is a surprise for you in the kitchen,” an excited Katie said the minute Brad and Jamie walked in. More and more Katie was using her crutches instead of the wheelchair, which was mostly due to Arf’s dedication to helping her.

“A surprise? What kind of surprise? Are you going to come with me to see what it is?” Brad teased Katie as she slowly walked with him to the kitchen.

He was more than surprised, he was shocked to see Tom standing there eating a bowl of Grandma Helen’s banana pudding.

“Happy birthday, Brad,” Tom said. “Judging by the look on your face, I must be the last person you expected to see.”

“Not quite,” Brad answered as he walked over to shake Tom’s hand. “Thank you for coming. It’s really good to see you.”

“It’s great to see you, Brad. You have quite a family here and I know dinner is going to be the best. I want you to pay special attention to the potatoes. They were peeled by an expert.”

After a little bit of small talk and a few slightly awkward moments Brad and Tom seemed to get more comfortable with each other and the rest of the family helped to keep the atmosphere light.

***I’d rather be outside playing with Annie but I have to stay inside so I don’t forget Katie and I are putting on a show with Steve.

“Brad, would you please show everyone where to sit?” Miss Bessie asked. “Tom, you can sit here by me.”

Grandma Helen rushed to sit on Tom’s other side. “I don’t usually sit here,” she said, “but I’ve been meaning to switch places with Mark, anyway. You don’t mind do you, Mark? When everyone is seated, Katie will say Grace.”

After dinner, the group moved to the great room for coffee and dessert.

Once again, Tom marveled at Brad’s very close knit family. It was abundantly clear that each of them adored his older brother.

As Tom looked around the room, he suddenly realized there were two women standing in the doorway.

The younger woman was wearing dark glasses and she held a cane. She was very beautiful. The older woman did not seem at all happy to be there.

“Happy Birthday again, dear brother.” The younger woman said. I hope we’re not too late for birthday cake. After all, it is my birthday, too.”

Tom began to absorb what he was hearing and seeing, and soon realized it could only mean one thing.

“Are you Barbie?” He asked.

Just for fun…..

To live a little longer you must drink a lot of tea

That’s why Queen Elizabeth enjoys longevity

There was a study done, of the clinical kind of course

They said its accurate, but we can’t confirm the source

So fire up the kettle and let your steeper steep

Drink tea when you’re awake and also while you sleep

The study says if twice a day you drink a whole carafe

Your time of living will increase by one year and a half

So flex your little pinky and pass the sugar bowl

And add a little cream if a long life is your goal

You must nibble on a biscuit and use a silver tray

Remember English High Tea is more than a cliche

Ordering in? We’ll have burgers and fries.

It’s of critical importance that you use the finest tea

I’ve got so much to learn and it’s really stressing me

This all sounds quite expensive. I’ll keep that in mind

I’m pretty old already, so I must be way behind.

I now know all I need, to make a good decision

I’ll do what is suggested with just one slight revision

If you see me with the Queen and really look close up

You’ll see a happy short-timer with coffee in her cup

Those burgers still aren’t here

As she turned to see Brad standing there, Jamie’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing him was surprise enough, but when she saw who was with him, she was both ecstatic and confused.

“I think you’re speechless,” Brad teased. “I was hoping we would see you and Arf today. It’s a very special day for me, and I wanted you to be here.”

“I know,” Jamie said. “I heard that it’s your birthday.”

***Annie! Annie is back! Who wants to stick around and listen to Brad and Jamie talk when Annie is here to play. We took off to run and chase each other around. I don’t think they even noticed. Oh, what a happy day! Do you want to go to the river, Annie? Shall we chase squirrels?

**************************

“It is indeed my birthday,” Brad said,  “and I have so much to celebrate. Can you believe all that has happened these past few months? My world has certainly changed. It’s changed for all of us…especially little Katie.”

Brad leaned against the fence and looked out over the pasture. He turned to smile at Jamie and she wondered if he had gotten over being angry with her.

“How is it that you have Annie? are you the one who adopted her? It’s wonderful to see her again, but I don’t get it.” Jamie was watching Arf and Annie. They were certainly the best of friends and so happy to see each other again.

“I’ll explain how I got Annie, later, but first I want to say something to you, Jamie. I owe you an apology.”

“I don’t understand,” Jamie said. “I thought you were angry with me because I waited to tell you I had found Tom until after I had talked with him.”

“I was…and that’s why I owe you an apology. I realize now that you were only trying to keep me from being hurt. Besides, how can I question your integrity when I have done so many things I have come to regret…like convincing a twelve year old boy to lie about who started the fire. He lived that lie for years and I can see now that it harmed him a great deal. I don’t know if our relationship will ever heal.”

Jamie was a little overwhelmed.

“I can’t speak for Tom, but as far as I’m concerned, there is nothing to forgive. I shouldn’t have been so intrusive. You should know, Brad, that I didn’t like the way I felt knowing that you were so disappointed in me.”

Brad looked at Jamie’s smiling face. He was beginning to understand just how special she was.

They both turned to watch Annie and Arf playing in the field.

“I should warn you, Jamie. Prepare yourself, because as they say, more is going to be revealed.”

Inside the sprawling ranch house, everyone was bustling around preparing for the big birthday party. When Tom walked in and saw all of those people in his brother’s home, he began to feel something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Was it a feeling of belonging to a family? He wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, it felt good.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked.

Grandma Helen went rushing over to him, but Miss Bessie was a little faster. “Why yes,” she said. “How are you at peeling potatoes?

Grandma Helen got to the other side of Tom and linked her arm in his. “Just wait until you taste my banana pudding. It’s to die for.”

The sight of the two of them dragging poor Tom to the kitchen was comical to everyone else in the room.

“He’ll learn not to ask that question,” Steve said. “Is it true that Brad doesn’t know Tom is here for his birthday?”

“It’s going to be quite a night, “Dina said. “Katie has been practicing with Arf all week. Steve and I helped them choreograph a little recital in honor of Brad’s birthday.”

 

Earlier that day…

“Happy Birthday, Sis,” Brad said. “I came to ask a favor.”

“The answer is no.” I will not come to your ranch for the big birthday bash. Gloria made us a nice brunch and a birthday cake. We can celebrate together like we always do and get you on your way in time for your party tonight.”

“It’s time you left this house for a while, Barbie. You can come and spend the night and I’ll bring you back the first thing tomorrow. It would really mean a lot to me. There is someone special I want you to meet.”

Gloria entered the room with a tray holding two cups of coffee.

“Let her be Brad. You know how sensitive she is to being around a lot of people. We’ll have a nice evening right here at home, won’t we Barbie?” 

“I have asked very little of you over the years, Sis,” he said. “I know you can’t see, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live. Gloria…please convince her to come. A car will be here to pick you both up at two o’clock. I don’t have time for brunch, but thank you anyway. I’ll take Annie with me. She looks bored.”

On his way out, Brad walked by a very surprised sister and a very stern looking Gloria. Was he imagining things, or was Gloria getting a little too controlling of his sister. Maybe she had always been.

 

Things at the ranch seemed to settle down after the night of the horrific storm. Katie and Arf continued with their therapy at home and Dina began taking them to the research hospital every two weeks to have Katie’s progress checked, Sam also taught them new ways to strengthen her muscles and work on building her confidence. Sam said the rest was up to her.

***Katie still needs me a lot, but Dina really wants me to go visit the hospice residence with her and a nursing home, too. I’m not sure what that is, but we’re going tomorrow.

I’ve been to the vet clinic with Jamie twice since Annie left and it just isn’t the same without her to play with so I’m kind of glad I have another place to go. Will I ever see Annie again?

&&&I really love living at Barbie’s house, but I miss all of the action at the vet clinic. Animals came, but didn’t stay which did make me sad sometimes. The friend I really miss is Arf. We played well together and Jamie brought him as often as she could. I wonder if Jamie knows where Barbie lives. Will I ever see Arf and Jamie again?

Jamie was glad her day at work was finally over. She loved doing her internship at the local vet clinic and even hoped they would let her stay on when she had completed her training, but she had been somewhat distracted lately.

Brad was still being aloof. Jamie couldn’t believe he was that angry with her for talking to his brother, Tom before letting him know she had located him.

Jamie was so deep in thought, she almost forgot to pick up Miss Bessie at the General Store. When she pulled up front, Miss Bessie flew out the door. She already had her hat on and she was practically running to the car.

“What’s going on, Miss Bessie? I’m actually a few minutes early, but it looks like you’re ready to get out of there. Is everything okay?”

“I guess so,” Miss Bessie rolled her eyes and continued to talk all of the way to the ranch.” I know Steph is Dina’s sister, and Helen is their mother, but I guess they’re all estranged. Well, except for Helen and Dina who seem to be getting along okay right now. Steph needs a lot of help with the customers. I do my best, but some of them just want to talk, talk, talk. They’re hard to get away from. I sure hope I remember everything I heard today until I get a chance to tell Helen.”

“I thought you told me you didn’t gossip,” Jamie teased.

“Oh yes…I love to gossip. I don’t try to hide it either. Why if someone asks me if I can keep a secret, I tell them I just can’t seem to master that skill. Then they go ahead and tell me anyway.”

They were pulling into the drive when Miss Bessie said. “By the way…you’re staying for dinner, dear. Helen said she wouldn’t take no for an answer. It’s a special night. It’s Brad’s birthday, and we have a surprise for him. Tom is going to be here.

Jamie was not prepared to spend the evening with Brad and Tom, but she decided it would probably make things worse if she declined.

“Okay,” Jamie said. “But if Arf is inside would you please send him out. I miss my buddy and I want to go for a walk with him before I go in.”

A couple of minutes later, Arf came running out. “Let’s go down by the paddock,” Jamie said. “We can say hello to the horses.”

***Jamie seems sad. She probably misses me. Sometimes I forget that she was my first human. Jamie gave me my first frisbee. That’s what I was playing with when I got caught in that truck with all the furniture and I couldn’t get out until I was far, far, away from home. Miss Bessie and I found each other and she found Jamie. Now we’re both here and I think it was meant to be.

“Sometimes I wonder if I’m really meant to be here, Arf,” she said.

“Is there somewhere else you would rather be?” A voice behind her asked.

Except for the first five years after the fire, when she was going through surgery after surgery and all of the painful rehab, Barbie had led a pretty tranquil life. She had never really talked about their parents or Tom. It seemed that his sister was perfectly content to live in her peaceful little cottage with Gloria who had been with her from the very beginning.

“How is your little clan doing, Brad?” Is the little girl you talked about last time learning to walk?”

Brad proceeded to update Barbie on everything that had been happening at the ranch. He noticed that all the while he was talking, Barbie kept her hand on Annie’s head and Annie didn’t move.

“You want to bring Tom here, don’t you? That is what you’re trying to talk to me about isn’t it?”

“Wow! You know me well,” he said. “You would think we were twins. He’s a good guy, Barbie, and considering what he went through at the young age of twelve, there is something to be said about the noble profession he has chosen. He saves people caught in fires, Barbie.”

“You don’t have to sell me on him. It’s just that we’ve gotten along without Tom in our lives for all these years and he’s gotten along without us. Why do things have to change now?”

Brad got up and sat in a chair closer to his sister.

“Because telling Tom that you are alive is the right thing to do. We never should have kept it from him, but everyone was so sure you wouldn’t recover from your injuries.”

Barbie turned toward her brother and though she couldn’t see him, he knew her big brown eyes were filled with sadness. “He would have had to grieve all over again. The poor kid had been through enough…and now? Now he would be terribly angry. Can you imagine what learning I have been alive all these years would do to him?”

Unlike Barbie, Brad had given the situation a lot of thought over the years.

“It wasn’t so important when we didn’t know where he was or what he was doing,” Brad said…”and that his life with Aunt Mildred had been so miserable. I’ve made decisions that only God should have made, Barbie, and I don’t know what to do next.”

“Nothing…you’ll do nothing. Now would you get Annie a bowl of water and ask Gloria to find some sort of a treat for her? My goodness sweetness,” Barbie said as she leaned over for a kiss from her new soulmate. You’ve had that long ride with my mean brother and we haven’t even offered you refreshments.”

“I hate living this lie, Barbie, but I have always told you that the secret is yours to tell. All I ask is that you search your heart. You would love my “clan” as you call them, and they would love you. Tom doesn’t really know them yet, either.”

Brad had intended to stay a few days, but he decided he would come back in a couple of weeks. Right now, he had some fences to mend at home.

When Jamie and Dina got back to the house, they were sure they would walk in and find Arf and Katie waiting for them. They would be safe and sound, and happy to be home… but they weren’t there, and no one had seen them. The storms had calmed, but the sky looked like there was more severe weather to come.

It was after nine o’clock when there was a knock at the door. Steve rushed to open it and standing there was an older man. He was holding Katie who appeared to be sound asleep. A sopping wet Arf was standing as close as he could to the man holding his Katie.

The man explained that he was fishing in the river when the storm suddenly struck. He found shelter in a little alcove and waited for the worst of it to pass. When the coast appeared to be clear, he made a run for it and had almost gotten to his car when he heard a dog barking.

Dina and Steve didn’t wait to hear the remainder of his story. Steve took Katie from the man’s arms and after thanking him profusely, he and Dina took Katie to get her out of wet clothes and put her into her warm bed.

“I can’t imagine why Arf wouldn’t bring Katie home when he saw the bad weather coming,” Dina said.

Katie opened her eyes wide. “It wasn’t Arf’s fault Mommy,” she pleaded. “Arf was bringing me my chair. He wanted us to leave. I scooched up too close to the edge because I was watching a turtle. I fell into the scary river, Mommy, and Arf saved me. My Arf saved my life.

***I guess no one was mad at me because I didn’t get Katie home before the storm came. I got one of those good bones and they put a nice warm blanket on my pallet beside Katie’s bed. I hope it’s okay for us to take tomorrow off. I’m dog tired and I bet my Katie is, too.

“Hi Jamie, it’s Helen. I know you’re still at work, but I don’t know what to do. The clouds are starting to build and Katie and Arf went off somewhere to do their exercises. I checked their usual place under that tree near the garden and they weren’t there. Oh Jamie…I’m the only one here and I don’t know what to do,” Helen said again.

“I’ll leave right now, Helen. I’ll head that way as soon as I pick Miss Bessie up at the General Store.”

“Please hurry, Jamie. Dina and Steve trusted me to take care of Katie. What if something happened to her? This storm scares me!”

“Don’t worry,” Jamie assured her. “Remember, she’s with Arf.”

***Katie and I had a great day at the river and time had gotten away from us. She threw the frisbee to me for the longest time, and I stayed close by her side as she practiced balancing. She stood without the two sticks she had been using as she learned to trust herself and did exercises to strengthen her muscles.

Later, we sat by the river and I pulled a blanket out of the back pocket of the wheelchair. While hanging on to my neck, Katie lowered herself down until she was sitting comfortably. We were ready for an afternoon snack. Katie took an apple from the basket and I found my second good bone for the day.

It wasn’t long before I sensed something in the air. The wind came up suddenly and I knew there was a bad storm brewing. I nudged Katie and gave her the signal to get back into her wheelchair. She was having so much fun watching a turtle in the water, that I had a hard time getting her attention.

I went around behind and nudged the chair closer to where she was sitting. I only took my eyes off her for a second. When I looked up, I saw her bending over the embankment. I barked, but it only startled her and she fell over the edge.

She was screaming and the choppy water was engulfing her. Katie can’t swim. She can’t help herself. I jumped into the water and tried to grab her. On the third try, I got a piece of her shirt. I had to be so careful dragging her back to safety. If her shirt tore and she got away from me, I was afraid the current would carry her off. She had her eyes closed tight.

The lightning storm was getting closer and the thunder was so loud. How would I get my Katie home safely? I was more worried and afraid than I have ever been.

Steve and Dina got home shortly after Jamie and Miss Bessie arrived. Brad was still on his mysterious trip and Mark was on his way from the bunkhouse. The wind had died down and the air heavy and hot… ominous of things to come.

Where were Katie and Arf?

“They can’t have gone that far,” Steve said. “Mark, you go look in the woods behind the house, Maybe they decided to have their picnic there. I’ll go look near the river.”

“Oh, no!”…Dina said. “It never dawned on me that they might be at the river!”

“Let’s take flashlights and walk up the road,” Jamie said to Dina. “Maybe they’re taking that way home and we’ll meet up with them.”

“My poor baby. She must be so frightened.” Dina felt like she had to do something. “Let’s go!” she said to Jaime.

“Don’t go far, girls,” Miss Bessie warned. “We don’t want to have to look for you, too!”

*************************

Arf and Katie finally made it to shore. Katie was exhausted. “I want to go home Arf,” she said. “My head hurts.” She was being so brave. Arf knew she was trying hard not to cry. He didn’t know if he could stand it if she did.

***I decided to take Katie to a little alcove in the embankment along the river. It was far enough away from the water to be safe and she wouldn’t be in danger of being struck by lightning.

******************

It had warmed Brad’s heart to see how Barbie and Annie had taken to each other. He was waiting for the opportunity to tell his sister that he had been in touch with their brother, Tom. He wanted his family to be a family, but would his siblings ever forgive him when they discovered all he had kept from them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After visiting with Gloria for a few minutes, Brad walked out the french doors that led to the backyard of the little cottage where Barbie and Gloria had lived for the last twenty years.

Unaware that she had a visitor, Barbie slowly walked around the little flower garden, bending down to smell each bloom as she hummed a song. She had a beautiful voice and Brad could have listened to her forever, but he knew his surprise couldn’t wait that long.

“Hello Sis,” he said. “It looks like you’re enjoying this beautiful day.

“Brad! Gloria didn’t tell me you were coming. Oh my goodness… it must be close to noon and I’m still in my bathrobe. I just haven’t been able to pull myself away from this refreshing morning breeze. Come and give your big sister a hug!”

“You’re all of five minutes older than I am, Barbie. Speaking of birthdays, I brought you an early present. Her name is Annie.”

“Annie? What a beautiful name,” Barbie said.

Upon hearing her name, and as if on cue, Annie walked over and sat down in front of Barbie who upon hearing a little whine, knelt down to give her new friend a hug. Brad was right behind Annie and watched his sister and her new friend begin what he knew would be the best thing that ever happened to either of them.

Barbie was Brad’s twin sister. Everyone thought she had died in the fire along with their parents. In truth she was close to death when Brad found her. Everyone had left the scene leaving him standing in front of the still burning house. For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. He remembered thinking how strange it was that such a terrible thing could happen during the light of day, but the stars, serene and sparkling in the sky, came out that night.

The small fire department in the town where they lived did their best to find the the three people who had died in the fire. They found two badly charred bodies and assumed the third had been burned to ashes.

As Brad, who was only sixteen, stood there in the quiet of the night, he thought he heard a sound coming from the little potting shed that stood just a few yards from the house.

He heard it again as he walked to the shed and flung the door open.

“Barbie! is that you?” He shouted. He reached for the flashlight he knew would be above the door. The stream of light searched the shed and in the corner was his sister… her body was badly burned. Wondering how she could even be alive he realized she was reaching out to him with a badly burned hand. Before he could get to her, she mercifully fell into unconsciousness.

Brad was brought back to the moment by seeing the look of excitement and happiness on his sister’s face.

“Thank you so much, Brad. I love Annie already. I wish I could see her!”

Brad had intended to take Arf with him on his trip, but after some discussion it was decided Katie needed him more. It would not do for her to get complacent with her physical therapy and Arf was a big part of keeping her on track.

The next morning while on her way to work, Jamie contemplated what she should do next. Brad was clearly unhappy with her. She supposed she had stuck her nose into his business one too many times and now he was being mysterious about being gone for a few days. Before she had reached any conclusions, she arrived at work.

It was a busy day and it wasn’t until late in the afternoon that Jamie had a chance to go say hello to Annie. Poor girl…she would always have a home at the clinic, but Jamie often questioned if that was the right thing for Annie.

She was almost to Annie’s quarters when she and Dr. Stillwell crossed paths.

“It’s been a busy day, hasn’t it, Jamie? I haven’t even had a chance to tell you abut Annie’s good fortune. She was adopted early this morning.”

Jamie felt like she had been kicked in the stomach. Of course she had always known it was a possibility that one day she would bring Arf for a play date and Annie would have found a new home. One thing was for sure…Arf was not going to take this well. Could anything else troubling happen to her today?

************************

***I guess it’s a good thing that I don’t have much say in things. I need someone else to decide where I need to be. I’m glad that I didn’t have to go with Brad today. I ran out on Katie to go with Tom. I blame it on my instincts. Dogs have keen instincts at least that’s what we hope everyone believes. Well, my keen instincts tell me that Katie and I need to work hard today. I hope Grandma Helen packs us a good picnic lunch and she puts one of those good bones in there for me. I think I’ll take Katie down to the river. It’s not that far, and it’s such a pretty day.

I love the river…

Everything happened just as Arf had hoped. Grandma Helen packed what smelled like a delicious lunch with an added bonus. She threw in a brand new frisbee.

“Here, Arf,” she said. “It will strengthen Katie’s arm and shoulder muscles if she throws it to you.”

Just as the screen door shut behind them, Grandma Helen hollered. “Keep and eye on the weather. There is a chance of a lightning storm coming through here sometime this afternoon.”

************

Brad had driven for five hours before finally arriving at the beautiful little cottage. The lady who came to the door seemed excited to see him.

“Come in Brad,” she said. “Barbie is sitting out back. You know how she loves to be outside on beautiful days like this.”

“Thanks Gloria. As you can see, I have a surprise for her.”

“You must know how thrilled she is going to be. She has improved so much, Brad… both physically and mentally.”

“It’s been a long ordeal, but Barbie has finally turned the corner. I think it’s time,” Brad said.

“Maybe so…I just ask that you tread lightly, Brad. We don’t want to undo what has taken twenty years to accomplish.”