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+Episode 3.02, L'Armée de Joan, Part 1
+-------------------------------------
+
+It has been a long three weeks. At least I was allowed to keep my
+job. Straight to work and straight home, but four hours out of the
+house a week was a godsend. The reading has been pretty dry, but it
+has been making me think more than anything else. The best part is
+Mom. It really hurt her when we couldn't talk after my concert trip.
+Even after I apologized, it still seemed a little awkward to sharing
+things at times. And when I refused to tell her why I broke up with
+Adam, that started the whole thing over again. All along, she never
+said a word
+
+Now that we are reading many of the same books, we talk about them. I
+feel our talks are helping her in her journey back to the church,
+even though my questions always seem to add more confusion. But, that
+is what she wants, and I want that for her. She seems to become
+happier every day, and that I can be a part of it really pleases me.
+
+And, Dad and Kevin are being affected too. Well, not so much Dad, but
+he is listening. Kevin is struggling like Mom. He wants to learn
+because he is in love with Lilly. Her extremely strong religious
+beliefs are very much a part of her. It's not that Kevin is trying to
+convert, but rather that he feels he needs to at least try to
+understand Lilly's passion for the Church.
+
+Grace came over yesterday. We had a good time. It seems she spends
+all of her time with Luke now. It was good having just her and me.
+She worries about me though. I keep telling her I am fine, but she
+doesn't believe me. Okay, so I do yoga now. Is it really that
+strange? At first, I didn't like it. I hurt everywhere. But now that
+I have it figured out, I feel good when I'm done. It's calming. I'm
+going to keep bugging her to join me.
+
+But the dreams are what worry her most. Yeah, I told her about some
+of them. I probably shouldn't have, but she is my best friend, and
+I'm so lonely carrying all of these secrets. It's like, I see a
+place, but I don't know how to get there. I don't even know where
+there is. But, I know it is some place that I want to be. Strange!
+
+Last night’s dream was one of the weirdest! I was in a convent. No, I
+wasn't a nun, but there were a pair of nuns who were dancing. Are
+they supposed to do that? Anyway, they were doing a waltz, I think.
+They did other dances too, but the neatest dance was the jitterbug.
+Can you imaging two nuns jitterbugging? It was hilarious! I was
+laughing so hard when I woke up that I almost wet the bed.
+
+When I told Grace about the dream, she laughed. We laughed together.
+But, she wonders if I'm heading back to crazy camp. I reassured her
+that I wasn't, but truthfully, I wonder myself. The dreams are no
+longer sporadic. It's almost every night. I started writing them
+down, as much as I can remember. If Mom ever finds my journal, it's
+back to crazy camp for sure.
+
+Well, one more day of prison. I'll spend tomorrow night at Grace's,
+and then we'll go on vacation! I'm so excited! Good night ole pen.
+
+Joan drifts off into another adventure in sleeping. After she is
+asleep, God pays her another visit. He sits on the bed beside her and
+speaks to his sleeping child, “You're doing good, Joan. The yoga is
+beginning to tune your mind and body. You are slowing becoming aware
+of the gift that I gave you, the gift you asked for so long ago. In
+time, you will understand.” He runs his fingers across her forehead,
+like he has done so many times before, and leaves.
+
+When Joan wakes up, she remembers it's a new day. The last day of
+being grounded! But still, she has a lot to get done before she
+leaves. She makes her bed and gathers up her dirty laundry into a
+pile. She makes herself a breakfast of eggs and toast. While she
+eats, she struggles through the last few pages of St. Augustine's
+Confessions. Then back up to the bedroom to pack.
+
+Usually by now, she has acquired at least some new summer clothes,
+but being grounded at the beginning of summer squelched that custom.
+So she sifts through last year's clothes to see what can still be
+worn. Nothing really, but she places what she has in the suitcase
+anyway with the swimsuit on top. All she has to do now is put her
+toiletries in later, and she'll be ready to go.
+
+She enters the bathroom to begin the morning ritual of cleansing.
+Helen hears the shower running as she walks out of her bedroom. She
+notices Joan's suitcase on her bed and decides to take a peek. She
+browses through the clothes that Joan has packed for the trip. A
+smile paints across her face and she heads downstairs to start the
+coffee.
+
+After her shower, Joan gathers up her laundry and takes it down to
+the washroom. She begins sorting, filling the washer with a load of
+whites. Helen quietly walks in with her coffee and watches by the
+door.
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Helen – “Nothing, I was just watching.”
+
+Joan – “I'm doing it right. You only had to teach me once.”
+
+Helen – “That's not why I'm watching. I know you'll do it right. You
+have been doing it right for three weeks now.”
+
+Joan – “Then what?”
+
+Helen – “I have a surprise. Let me get my shower then I'll tell you
+what it is.”
+
+She makes a second cup of coffee and heads back upstairs. “Will,
+honey, I brought you some coffee.”
+
+Will – “Thanks Hon. So what's on the agenda for today?”
+
+Helen – “You are going to have a quiet morning, and I am taking our
+daughter shopping.”
+
+Will – “Should we be rewarding her so soon? We already knocked off a
+week from her punishment.”
+
+Helen – “It's not a reward. I just saw what she has packed for her
+trip. She needs new clothes.”
+
+Will – “What about Luke?”
+
+Helen – “I took him shopping last week. He's fine.”
+
+Will – “Well, enjoy your shopping. You're right, I would rather let
+you two take care of that on your own. This will be our last dinner
+with Joan and Luke for awhile. What sounds good to you?”
+
+Helen – “Surprise me.”
+
+She gets cleaned up and returns downstairs. Joan has finished dusting
+the living room furniture. She has the vacuum poised to be used as
+soon as the others wake up. She is watching a video she recorded
+earlier and is practicing her yoga.
+
+Helen – “When you're finished, I have another job for you.”
+
+Joan stops her routine and looks at her mother, “Mom! Don't I already
+have enough chores to do?”
+
+Helen – “You'll like this one. Grab your purse.”
+
+Joan – “Purse? Where are we going?”
+
+Helen – “Shopping.”
+
+Joan doesn't know what brought this on, but she's not going to argue.
+She quickly follows her mother out to the car before she changes her
+mind.
+
+Will finishes his shower and calls Kevin and Luke, “Get up
+sleepyheads. I'm making pancakes.”
+
+In a short while, Kevin and Luke arrive in the kitchen. Will serves
+up the pancakes, and they sit down to have breakfast.
+
+Will – “Luke, what are your plans for the day?”
+
+Luke – “Friedman and I are going to spend time at the arcade. That's
+about it.”
+
+Will – “Why don't you pack for tonight before you go?”
+
+Luke – “It's already done.”
+
+Kevin – “I proofed a story about that whole area a few weeks ago.
+There are lots of things to do. I'm sure you will have fun.”
+
+Will – “So what's on your schedule today?”
+
+Kevin – “Lilly is cleaning St. Peter's again. They have to finish up,
+so they can have Mass in the morning. She's going to come by when
+she's done, and we'll figure out something to do.”
+
+At the Store
+
+Joan – “Mom, this is so wonderful! Jeans, shorts, shirts and...” She
+lowers her voice, “Even new bras and panties! And, the swimsuit is
+gorgeous!”
+
+Helen – “Is there anything else that you need?”
+
+Joan says no, but she has never been good at lying. Helen can see it
+written all over her face. “What is it?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, it can wait.”
+
+Helen – “Tell me.”
+
+Joan - “Okay, Sammy placed a special order for Joan of Arc, by Regine
+Pernoud and Marie-Veronique Clin. He should have let me do it. He put
+the number in wrong, and the copy we received was in French. He told
+me to send it back, but I didn't. I started reading it. Mom, I would
+love to take it with me to read at the lake. I can pay you back. I'll
+have a check waiting when I get home. Please!”
+
+Helen – “Ok, we'll stop at the bookstore on the way home.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Mom.”
+
+At Home
+
+Will has decided what he wants to make for dinner. It's Luke's
+favorite and he hasn't made it in awhile. He has been searching
+through cupboards and finds that he is missing some of the key
+ingredients.
+
+Luke has gone out with Friedman, and Kevin has settled in the living
+room. He is quietly reading Helen's catechism book.
+
+Will – “I have to go to the grocery to pick up a few things. Would
+you like to come?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I'll stay here.”
+
+Will – “Can I get you anything?”
+
+Kevin – “If they have Snapple Kiwi Strawberry, pick me up some.
+Otherwise, I’ll drink what we have here.”
+
+Will writes it down on his list. “I'll look for it.” He leaves for
+the store.
+
+Helen and Joan return home from shopping. Kevin is still on the
+couch. Joan says excitedly, “Look Kevin, new clothes!” She pulls out
+her swimsuit and a brassiere falls out onto the couch beside him. She
+quickly grabs it and puts it back in the bag, “See my new suit?”
+
+Kevin – “Very nice, and I'm sure Dad will like it too.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I know, he's Amish too. But, it's still pretty.”
+
+Kevin – “You don't wear blue very often. It looks good on you.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I really like it.”
+
+Kevin – “So, does this mean you're out of the dog house?”
+
+Helen – “Not yet.Joan, you still have to finish your chores.”
+
+Joan – “I'm on it. I'll have everything done before I leave.”
+
+And off she goes. She puts her new clothes into the wash, and then
+she begins the Indianapolis 500. She has had three weeks to get this
+routine down to an art form. How does she vacuum the entire house in
+an hour and fifteen minutes? The trick is imagination. But for
+Larry's sake, it really is a good thing that he ran away.
+
+Joan finished up the vacuuming just in time for lunch. Will picked up
+a variety of lunch meats and some Roman Meal bread. He was also able
+to find Snapple Kiwi Strawberry. This turned out to be the drink of
+choice for lunch.
+
+At the Arcade
+
+Luke and Friedman are disappointed the new game promised won't be in
+until next week. They play some of the familiar games, but soon
+become bored.
+
+Luke – “This is no fun. Maybe I should go home and finish getting
+ready to leave?”
+
+Friedman – “I sure wish I was going. If I have to go on another
+cruise, I'm going to puke even more!”
+
+Luke – “Grace will never invite you anywhere as long as you keep
+calling her Marge.”
+
+Friedman – “That's her name, Margaret Grace Polk.”
+
+Luke – “We all know that's not what you mean. Besides, you know she
+likes to be called by her middle name. What if we start calling you
+Alfred? Alfred E. Friedman. What if I let that get around school?”
+
+Friedman – “You wouldn't dare.”
+
+Luke – “Watch me. Stop calling her Marge or I'll do it.”
+
+Friedman is about to refuse, but then he begins to believe that Luke
+might actually do it. “Deal, but you sure are pussy whipped.”
+
+Luke doesn't get mad often, but he is this close to decking his
+friend. He decides it's time to leave, “Hey, I have to go. I'll call
+you when I get back.”
+
+At Home
+
+After lunch, Joan rotates the laundry once more. She then decides to
+endure the most vile chore of all, cleaning Luke's fish tank. At
+least there is one consolation. She will never, ever clean it again,
+even if Luke does offer to explain the unified field theory.
+
+Next, she cleans the bathroom. She wipes down the shower, tub, and
+all of the porcelain. Mrs. Clean! She unstreaks the mirror and
+streaks the floor. She kicks her father out of the kitchen long
+enough to do the same there, and she's done. Whew! She flops down
+beside her brother on the couch, “ Whatcha reading?”
+
+Kevin – “Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica.”
+
+Joan – “Is it any good?”
+
+Kevin – “It's kind of dry, but interesting.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, well that's next on my list, but I'm taking a break. I
+bought the story of Joan of Arc to read. She was really cool.”
+
+Kevin – “Let me read it when you're done.”
+
+She smiles. “Sorry bro', you'll have to learn French first.”
+
+Joan repositions the tape to where she left off, and again begins to
+practice her yoga.
+
+Kevin – “You really like doing that, don't you?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I do. At first it was really hard. In fact, I still
+don't think I'm doing it right, but I'm going to keep practicing
+until I get it.”
+
+Kevin goes back to his reading, keeping one eye on his sister. He
+doesn't know anything about yoga, but it looks like she is doing it
+right to him. For Joan, it is graceful. She's no longer that pudgy
+6-year-old busting out of a tutu. This seems to suit her. Briefly,
+the thought crosses his mind of how he would like to be able to join
+her. He quickly begins to read again to clear that thought from his
+head. He wonders, ‘What's keeping Lilly?' He expected her to be here
+hours ago.
+
+Joan finishes her routine and rotates the laundry one last time. The
+last load is now in the dryer. She begins the task of folding and
+hanging up the clothes. She puts on her headphones and begins singing
+along with the music, while also doing a little dance. Will and Helen
+hear her fractured singing and can't help but go look. They both peek
+around the corner and watch for a moment. They smile at each other
+and return to the kitchen. Joan is completely oblivious to the event.
+
+Luke arrived home with Lilly. She had seen him walking home from the
+arcade and gave him a ride the rest of the way home. Lilly sees Kevin
+on the couch and goes to him, “I'm so sorry. When we were almost
+done, one of the slimes I brought with me to help spilled a whole can
+of paint. It took us forever to get it cleaned up. Then I found out
+Margaret from the Ladies Auxiliary has been sick, and no one made the
+arrangements for the ‘Coming Out Party.' That's what we are calling
+the party tomorrow after Mass. Funny, huh? I thought of it. So what
+would you like to do now?”
+
+Kevin – “There's no more time left. It's almost time for dinner. Then
+Joan and Luke are leaving for a week, and I want to see them off. My
+day has been totally shot! And now you tell me that after Mass
+tomorrow you are going to a party. I have been trying to be
+understanding about your passion for the Church, but where is your
+understanding for me? There are other things in life than the
+Church.”
+
+Lilly knows she has stepped in it. She has seen Kevin upset before,
+but never this angry. She is used to doing the yelling, not the other
+way around. Although she knows Kevin has a right to be angry, she's
+not in the mood to deal with it, “Ok, I'm sorry, but there are things
+that I just have to do. I'll call you in the morning.” She gets up
+and heads for the door.
+
+When Luke comes in, he smells the garlic and heads for the kitchen.
+As he passes the laundry room, he notices Joan. Yeah, she was still
+in there folding laundry, listening to music, and dancing about. He
+stopped to take a look. Joan noticed him standing there and takes off
+her headphones just as Luke says to Helen, “Look at this weirdo!”
+
+Of course, Joan had to respond, “Why, can't you dance, dog breath?”
+
+Helen arrives just in time to put an end to the crisis, when she sees
+Lilly heading for the door, “Lilly, are you staying for dinner?”
+
+Lilly – “No thanks, Helen. Some other time.”
+
+Joan grabs her dad's folded laundry and hang-ups, and heads for the
+stairs. Helen calls out, “Come down and set the table as soon as you
+have that put away.”
+
+She puts her dad's things nicely away in the drawers and closet and
+comes down and sets the table. She decides she has time for one more
+trip before dinner. She takes Luke's clothes up to his room and
+throws them on his bed.
+
+Will – “Dinner is served!” He brings out the pan of lasagna and Helen
+brings a large bowl of salad. Helen returns to the kitchen and brings
+back a freshly made loaf of garlic bread.
+
+Will – “Bon appetite!”
+
+They serve the food and everyone begins to eat.
+
+Helen – “Oh, wait! We forgot the prayer. Joan, would you do us the
+honor?”
+
+Joan – “\ Bénis, ô Dieu, et ces ton des cadeaux que nous nous
+apprêtons à recevoir de ton.\ *Par le Christ notre
+seigneur.*\ *Amen*\ .”
+
+Helen – “Joan!”
+
+Joan – “I did it right. It was just in French. And before you ask,
+you already know how my day was – work, work, work, shopping,
+shopping, work, work, work, work.”
+
+Helen – “Well, thanks for the prayer, even if no one but you could
+understand it. Kevin, you don't look too chipper. Shall I ask?”
+
+Kevin – “You don't want to know.”
+
+Helen – “Luke?”
+
+Luke – “I almost decked Friedman today.”
+
+Will says, satirically, “Isn't this a wonderful dinner I made for us
+tonight?”
+
+Everyone responded with the appropriate compliments, and then
+continued to enjoy the meal quietly.
+
+Joan finishes eating first and excuses herself. She takes her
+mother's laundry upstairs and puts it nicely away in the drawers and
+closet. She makes another trip and does the same with Kevin's
+laundry. As she is returning downstairs, she passes Luke on his way
+up. “Bite me!”
+
+She returns with her laundry and places it on the bed. From Luke's
+attic bedroom she hears, “Mo-om!”A smile crosses her face, “ Les
+services vous le droit, l'haleine de chien!”
+
+Helen calls up the stairs, “You two stop your fighting. Joan, you
+need to come down and do the dishes.”
+
+Joan knew she had to do the dishes, but was hoping to be able to
+finish packing first. She returns down to the kitchen and does the
+chore. Lasagna sure is good going down, but it's a pain to get off
+the pan. She gets the worst of it off and into the dishwasher it
+goes. That's it! That's the last chore to be done. She skips back up
+to her room.
+
+She removes the clothes from her suitcase that she had put in earlier
+and replaces them with the new ones she bought today. Then she
+returns a few items of her old favorites for good measure. A couple
+of brushes, a zip-lock bag of makeup, and of course Jeanne d'Arc. A
+trip to the bathroom and she returns with her toothbrush, toothpaste,
+a few odds and ends, and of course a fresh Oil of Old Lady Bath Bar.
+Joan borrowed it from her mother years ago, and she hasn't used
+anything else since. A quick shower, a change of clothes, and she's
+ready to go.
+
+Joan begins to lug her suitcase downstairs and meets Luke doing the
+same. They exchange glares, and then they both notice their father is
+standing there, “Come on you two. You are going on vacation. Whatever
+it is you are fighting about, get over it. Have fun.” He grabs both
+of their bags and takes them down to the car. He opens each one and
+slips an envelope inside. He returns inside and gives Helen a knowing
+nod.
+
+Helen – “Okay, are you sure you have everything you need?”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I'm seventeen. I don't need to be babied anymore.”
+
+Luke – “I made a list and cross-referenced everything. I have
+considered every variable.”
+
+Helen – “I guess that means you're ready too. Your father and I have
+put a little surprise in each of your suitcases. Look for it later.
+Come give me a hug.”
+
+Joan gives her mother a hug, “I love you Mom.” She turns to Kevin who
+is sitting there with open arms. She leans over and gives him a hug
+also. Kevin grabs her hips and swings her into his lap, “Why don't I
+give you a ride to the car?” Luke finishes hugging his mother and
+turns to see Kevin and Joan are now beside him. Kevin raises his fist
+as if to give him a shoulder punch, but changes his hand to a finger
+gun, “ Gotcha. See, I'm learning.” He shakes Luke's hand, leaving
+Luke both happy and surprised. They all go out to the car, and Helen
+and Kevin wave as they drive away.
+
+At the Polonsky's
+
+When they arrive, they exit from the car and Will places the
+suitcases on the sidewalk, “Now it's my turn.” He gives Joan a hug
+and sees Luke's outstretched hand. He takes it and pulls him in for a
+hug also. They walk up to the door and ring the bell.
+
+Sarah answers the door and invites them in, “You must be Will. It is
+nice to finally meet you.”
+
+Will – “It's nice to finally meet you, too.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky approaches and Sarah begins an introduction, “This is
+my husband...”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky interrupts, “Jakob Polonsky.It is very nice to meet
+you. Would you like to join us? We were about to have a snack.”
+
+Will – “No, thank you. I have to go, but Helen and I really
+appreciate you inviting Joan and Luke to vacation with you.”
+
+Jakob– “It is our pleasure. They are such fine children.”
+
+Will shakes the Rabbi's hand and also bids Sarah farewell. Grace
+directs Joan to her room and Luke to the guest room where they leave
+their suitcases. They return to the dining room where Rabbi, Sarah,
+and Adam are already seated.
+
+Adam – “Hi Joan… Luke… Mrs. P has made Rugelach.”
+
+Joan – “Hi Adam, how's work?”
+
+Adam – “Good, I'm just doing ad layouts, but Mr. D. says I'll be able
+to do more in time.”
+
+Joan redirects the conversation to Grace, “I have some new songs on
+my iPod. You'll have to listen to them later.”
+
+Luke – “To which she can't dance.”
+
+Joan gives him a glare and mouths the words, ‘Bite me, dog breath.'
+Sarah and Jakob exchange glances and smile.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “It would appear you have brought with you a
+confrontation. Let us pray that this can be resolved, and we have a
+happy vacation.” He prays silently.
+
+At Home
+
+It's 5 AM. Helen has been tossing and turning in her sleep. She can't
+shake the feeling that she should not have allowed Joan to go with
+the Polonsky's. Maybe it's the over-protective mother in her. Maybe
+it was the idea that Joan still had one week left of her punishment.
+But, the real reason is because, when she believed Joan had been
+kidnapped, she feared that all of the horror from that night in
+college would now be her daughter's fate. She springs up in bed with
+her heart pounding and her eyes flooding with tears, “My baby girl!”
+
+Her sudden movement makes Will stir. He sits up beside her and gives
+her a hug, “Honey! Shhh… Shhh… what is it? What's wrong?”
+
+Helen – “It's... it's nothing, nothing, really. I'm just being
+silly.”
+
+Will – “No, Honey, tell me what's bothering you.”
+
+He puts his arm around her shoulder, and she melts into him, sobbing.
+A few moments of his comfort helps her calm down, and she is able to
+talk to him, “What if something terrible happens to her when we're
+not around?”
+
+Will – “That won't happen. Joan is a smart girl.”
+
+Helen – “Who sometimes gets into trouble.”
+
+Will – “I'll grant you that, but I think this time she's really
+learned her lesson.”
+
+Helen – “I hope you're right.”
+
+Will – “I know you're worried. I am too, but we have to let her grow
+up and just trust that we raised her right.”
+
+Helen – “I know, she's a good kid. It's the other people in the world
+that I'm worried about.”
+
+They settle back down into bed and Will goes back to sleep. Helen is
+only able to doze.
+
+On the Way
+
+The highway is surrounded by heavy forest cover, cut in the side of a
+mountain pass. The terrain steeps up on the right and continues down
+on the left in the same manner. Ahead is a brown 8-passenger van
+whose driver must not understand the meaning of the word
+‘accelerate'. In the back of their mini-van, the kids are laughing
+their way through ‘99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall’.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky is driving, with Sarah in the passenger seat. They are
+both wearing typical weekend summer clothes, but Sarah's summer dress
+is outstanding. It is pale yellow with a faint flower pattern
+throughout. And, of course, she has a matching bonnet. They are
+carrying on their own conversation in spite of the munchkin singing
+coming from the back seats.
+
+In the middle are seated Grace and Luke. Although wearing seat belts,
+they are turned towards Joan and Adam in the rear seat. All of them
+are smiling and laughing and sometimes messing up by singing the
+wrong number. But, the deathblow to their singing finally occurs when
+Luke sings, “49 Bottles of Bears on the Wall.” This sends them all
+into a chorus of laughter, effectively ending the song.
+
+Grace – “I'm really glad your folks let you out of your jail cell.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah,” with a little laugh, “time off for good behavior I
+guess.”
+
+When Grace invited Joan to join her on this trip, she was devastated.
+She wanted so badly to go, but she knew she had over a week left of
+being grounded. Then on her 19th day of life in prison, Homeless Man
+God nearly scared her to death. He popped out from behind a can when
+she was taking out the trash. He suggested that she take a break from
+her punishment and go on vacation. “Duh! Grounded, because of you I
+might add.” But he told her that she should ask her parents for
+permission, and it worked!
+
+She really isn't sure why her parents let her go. Sure, for three
+weeks, she was a princess. She did all her chores, plus Luke's and
+Kevin's, without complaining. But she still had one week left. She is
+certain God had something to do with her parents' decision.
+
+Luke – “Good behavior or begging? You must have bargained with
+everything but your new iPod to get permission to go out of town.”
+
+Joan – “You would have done the same thing, brain boy. Chores for
+three weeks. I'm just glad it worked.”
+
+Luke will never tell his sister that it was he who actually did the
+begging. He put his logic into overdrive and convinced his parents
+that Joan had to be allowed go. Why? Let's just say that he didn't
+want to lose his favorite flavor of lip-gloss.
+
+Adam, in the shy quiet voice he has used on many occasions before he
+and Joan became an item, agrees, “I'm glad too.”
+
+Joan smiles at him, sees him smiling back at her, and then quickly
+turns away. She's still not ready to completely forgive him for what
+he did last April. The hurt is still too fresh. On the other hand,
+she misses him terribly. It's a conflict within her that she really
+wishes she could sort out. But the healing of a heart takes time.
+
+Luke – “I think this time out of Arcadia will do us all some good.
+Being at the lake, away from all the drama about the fire…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “And the ‘run away high school student' crap the
+Arcadia Herald has been printing lately. Andy Reese is such a jerk!”
+
+Luke – “And that, too.” Luke is a little annoyed that Joan is still
+dwelling on this.
+
+Joan glares at Luke who glares right back. It's a brother-sister
+thing, but Grace, being an only child, doesn't understand that they
+are only joking around and are not really fighting. She‘s right to
+question it though, because they had been fighting before they left
+Arcadia.
+
+Grace intercedes with a motherly tone, hoping not to have to hear
+Joan mope all week long, “Okay, no fighting, children.”
+
+Adam also tries to lighten the mood. He doesn't understand it's just
+a sister and brother thing either, “So, um, Grace, do you still have
+that tire swing out by the lake? I haven't taken a dive off that
+since we were eight.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, it's still there, but you may need to spend a few
+hours cutting your way through the overgrown bushes. The path hasn't
+been taken care of since we stopped coming a few years ago.”
+
+Joan – “Speaking of which, how come you guys stopped taking a
+vacation out here? It's such a pretty place.”
+
+As Joan is talking, the trees give way to show the amazing view. The
+sun is shining, leaving sparkles and reflections on the smooth
+surface of the lake. Around the edge are families getting into canoes
+with children bundled up in life jackets that are almost bigger than
+they are. It looks like a picture from a ‘wish you were here' post
+card.
+
+Grace – “That was around the same time that…” Grace trails off. She
+is talking about her mother's drinking problem. She doesn't want to
+bring it up, not now. Her mother has been sober for almost six
+months. This is their first family vacation in a long time. Luckily,
+a voice from the front seat ends the awkward silence.
+
+Sarah – “We're almost there kids. We're going to stop at the grocery
+store in town to pick up some supplies. Then we'll head back to the
+lake.”
+
+The kids all sigh and begin to stare out of the windows. As they
+approach the town, they pass a large sign adorned with flags and
+yellow ribbons. It reads, ‘Welcome to Millersville.' Joan is shocked.
+She had no idea this trip would bring her here. The others are
+oblivious to the significance, but Joan remembers the house fire. You
+know, the one with a connection to Ryan Hunter. She never did hear
+anything back from Kevin on the matter. She turns and watches the
+sign leave her view as they go around another curve in the road.
+
+At Home
+
+Will's cell phone rings. They both know from experience that when his
+phone rings on the weekend, there is no good news on the other end.
+
+Will answers the phone, “Girardi... okay... okay... all right, I'll
+meet you at the Crime Lab.”
+
+Will hangs up the phone and looks sadly at Helen, “So much for a
+peaceful morning. I'm sorry, that was Roebuck. He wants to go over
+some information about the Synagogue fire.”
+
+Helen – “I understand. Go catch the bad guy.”
+
+She gives him a swift kiss, and he gets up and readies himself to go.
+
+Helen reaches for the phone and calls Lilly, “Lilly, this is Helen.
+I'm not feeling good this morning. I'm going to have to pass on Mass
+and the party. I'm really sorry.”
+
+Lilly responses with the appropriate disappointment and wishes Helen
+to feel better.After the call, Helen goes back to sleep.
+
+In Millersville
+
+The Polonsky vacation party pulls into the parking lot of Finnegan's
+Grocery Store. It is a typical grocery store, with large glass
+windows lining the front, and signs advertising their sale items of
+the day: ‘2% milk, $2.75 gallon', ‘All Pepsi 12 packs, 3/$8'. Joan
+remembers the name and wonders how many Finnegans live in
+Millersville. She notices that the prices in this town are much less
+expensive than in Arcadia. Or maybe it is just that she never really
+paid attention to the prices at home. After all, she has only been to
+the grocery store on a few occasions and rarely needed to pay for
+anything using her own money.
+
+The six of them exit from the van with sighs and stretches. They make
+their way to the automatic doors that still open using a pressure mat
+in front of the door. No fancy motion sensors in this small town.
+Joan looks around. She notices that the people walking on the street
+seem to know each other. There is a mother pushing her baby in a
+stroller, an elderly couple sitting on a bench, and with a double
+take, a young couple she could swear included Ryan Hunter as the male
+half. She rubs her eyes. Maybe she was seeing things. Maybe her
+obsession with Ryan is playing a trick on her now. She looks back
+down the street and the couple is gone. Relieved, she follows Grace
+into the store.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “We are just going to pick up a few things here for
+the week, and then we'll be on our way. We shouldn't be too long, so
+don't go far, okay?”
+
+He and Sarah head to the back of the store toward the bread, while
+Grace, Luke, Adam, and Joan mill around the front entrance. Adam
+notices Joan's frequent glances towards the street outside.
+
+Adam – “What's wrong, Joan?”
+
+Adam startles Joan back into reality, “ Noth... Nothing, Adam. I'm
+fine. I think I'm just tired from the drive.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, if you're sure.” He knows her well enough to know that
+she's lying to him, but he doesn't want to press the issue.
+
+Luke – “Hey Grace, why don't I get some chocolate, graham crackers,
+and marshmallows?”
+
+Grace – “ Don't tell me you want to make s’mores.” Luke looks at her
+with a ‘what's the problem' look on his face. “You can't be serious?
+That's so 5th grade.” Luke gets a dejected look on his face, so Grace
+gives in, “All right, let's go find the stuff.”
+
+Grace leaves and Luke follows her. Adam decides to go with them as
+well, leaving Joan alone at the front of the store.
+
+Joan walks back outside. She searches down the street in both
+directions. Ryan is nowhere to be seen. The mother and her baby, who
+Joan had seen a few moments ago, stop and smile at Joan. Joan smiles
+back and suddenly gets the ‘Oh No, what now' feeling. You know, the
+one that happens when God pops out of the blue. But, she has learned
+that not everyone she suspects is God, really is.
+
+Joan – “Awe, what a cute baby.”
+
+Woman – “I know, isn't she? I'm just caring for her until her new
+parents arrive tomorrow. Have you ever saved someone's life, Joan?”
+
+Joan sighs, “You know the answer to that. No, unless you count
+Dylan.”
+
+God – “Oh, it's such a wonderful feeling, knowing that you've helped
+someone.”
+
+Joan – “I feel a suggestion coming on.”
+
+God – “Just keep your eyes open for your chance to make a difference
+in someone's life.”
+
+Joan – “Don't I do that every day?”
+
+God – “Yes, but today is most important.”
+
+God straightens the baby's hat and strolls away, giving a wave as she
+turns the corner.
+
+Joan yells down the street after her, “I've been doing everything
+you've asked all month, the yoga and all of the reading. Didn't you
+tell me to go on vacation? What happened to that assignment?”
+
+Joan stomps back into the store with a frown on her face. Adam
+returns and assumes it's still the same frown from before he left.
+
+Adam – “So, now that everyone is gone, you can stop lying and tell me
+what's wrong.”
+
+Of course, Joan can't tell him that she's getting tired of having to
+work for God on her down time, “Okay, if you must know, I could have
+sworn I just saw Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Adam – “Why does he bother you so much?”
+
+She lowers her voice to a whisper, “He's evil Adam. Evil!”
+
+Adam – “ Come on, Jane. How much time have you spent with the guy?”
+
+Joan – “Enough.And Adam, please don't call me Jane anymore. I want
+you to call me Joan. My name is Joan.”
+
+Joan's request causes Adam to lose his train of thought, “Ah, yeah,
+sure, I'll try.” There is an uncomfortable silence. Adam looks out
+the window following Joan's gaze. He decides to change the subject,
+“I can't wait to get to the lake.”
+
+Joan is also relieved to get off the subject of Ryan, but she still
+can't stop herself from looking for him, “I know. It looked so
+beautiful. I can't believe they stopped coming up here.”
+
+Adam – “I used to visit the cottage with Grace every summer. All that
+stopped when we were eight.”
+
+Joan – “Can you blame her? I wouldn't want my friends to spend a week
+with my mother if she was always drunk either.”
+
+Adam – “It made a big difference in our friendship. I can mark the
+time we started to lose track of each other starting from the summer
+before 4th grade.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe we shouldn't bring it up this week. They seem like such
+a happy family now.”
+
+Joan hears the sound of a woman crying. She tells Adam, “Wait here,
+I'll be back.” She walks over to the corner of the store and finds
+the woman seated behind the counter, “Can I help you?”
+
+Woman – “No, I don't think anyone can help. I have really made a mess
+of everything.”
+
+Joan – “What's the matter? Maybe I can help.”
+
+Woman – “It's my sister. I didn't want her to become a nun, and now
+she hates me. Our father supported her decision, and now he's dead. I
+love her so much, but I don't know how to fix it.”
+
+Joan – “Well, you have answered your own question. Tell her how much
+you love her. That's how you can fix it.”
+
+Woman – “You make it sound so simple.”
+
+Joan – “Sometimes the answer is simple. Talk to her. Tell her how you
+really feel.”
+
+Woman – “We are meeting for lunch later. I'll think about how to tell
+her and do it over lunch. I sure hope it works!”
+
+Joan – “Trust me. It will work.” Joan thinks to herself, praying that
+she is right. She is certainly no expert on fixing relationships!
+“Tell her that you love her?” How corn ball is that? But, this is
+what God asked her to do, so she has given it her best shot.
+
+Woman – “What is your name?”
+
+Joan – “Joan, Joan Girardi.”
+
+Woman – “Anna Finnegan, it was nice to meet you.”
+
+Gears begin to grind as Joan recalls that she is Michael McCauley's
+daughter. She is tempted to ask a ton of questions, but decides that
+this is not the time, “It was nice to meet you, too. Good luck with
+your sister.”
+
+Joan returns to the front of the store, somewhat amused by the
+accidental pun she just made. She meets the others as they are
+leaving the checkout lane. She grabs a bag and follows them to the
+van. They pile the groceries into the back on top of the piles of
+luggage and duffle bags. As Joan is taking her seat in the back, she
+again sees Ryan talking with the cute blonde she had seen him with
+before. It looks like they are arguing now. She puts her hand on the
+window to stabilize herself and whispers so that only she can hear,
+“It was him!” As Rabbi Polonsky drives them away, Joan watches until
+they are out of sight.
+
+At the Sheriff's station
+
+Will arrives at the Sheriff's office. The crime lab in Bakerstown has
+finally sent back the results of the tests on the glass from the
+Synagogue fire. Will is anxious to hear the results. It has been 3
+weeks, longer than he had expected for a case that had been marked
+‘priority.' But, the crime lab also had evidence from several
+homicides to analyze. This bumps their need to be next in line.
+
+Roy– “We just received the report.”
+
+Will – “And?”
+
+Roy– “You're not going to be happy.”
+
+Will – “Spill it.”
+
+Roy– “There was nothing unique about the glass. Its composition is
+common to many types of glass containers.”
+
+Will – “Is that it? You called me in on a Sunday for this?”
+
+Roy– “Well, there is more, and this is why I asked you to come in.The
+bottles were approximately 1 gallon in size made of thick clear
+glass. There were five bottles altogether. Engraving on some of the
+glass pieces survived. They could make out the letters ‘I', ‘V', ‘L',
+and ‘O'. Although they don't know the order or how long the original
+word or words may have been, it's something.”
+
+Will – “So we have five gasoline bombs with four letters to identify
+the bottles. Why can't we get some answers? These are just puzzle
+pieces!”
+
+Roy– “Well, I have some more pieces for you. We also sent paint
+samples from the Catholic Church vandalism. The paint used was a
+marine paint manufactured by Hacket Paint Industries. It was easily
+identifiable due to its copper content. They provided the address and
+phone number of the company. You can get a list of their local
+distributors. That might lead to something.”
+
+Will – “Like I said, puzzle pieces. Roy, thanks for your hard work.”
+He heads home to try to enjoy the rest of his day off.
+
+At Home
+
+When Will left, he closed the door just loud enough to wake Kevin up.
+Kevin quietly got cleaned up and went down to the living room to
+read. Lilly said she would call, and he hope she will keep her
+promise.
+
+A little later, Helen finally gives up trying to sleep. She takes the
+back stairs down to the kitchen. She makes herself a bowl of tomato
+soup and toast. Despite sleeping in until 9 a.m., she is still very
+tired. She puts her elbow on the table and rests her chin on her
+palm, propping up her head like so many school children do during a
+boring history lesson.
+
+She tries to stay awake, but is too exhausted. She falls asleep there
+at the table. She starts to dream, but this dream is unlike any other
+dream Helen has had in the past. It's like she is viewing the scene
+from a hidden camera. She is in the Synagogue again. This time she is
+inside the building, but there is no fire yet.
+
+Helen has never been there, but she can see exactly what it looked
+like before the fire. She turns around towards the back of the aisle
+and sees Ryan walking in carrying two large boxes, one on top of the
+other. They must be heavy, because he is straining, and Ryan is in
+pretty good physical condition. He walks past her but doesn't notice
+her standing there. She is mesmerized and can't take her eyes off
+him.
+
+He begins to empty the contents of the boxes. He takes out large
+jars, half filled with liquid. He places each one in different parts
+of the room. Then he pulls out a gas can and begins spreading
+gasoline everywhere. He repeats the procedure using a second can of
+gas. Then he walks to the door, turns, and throws a match.
+
+Helen is suddenly engulfed in an inferno. The shock is so great that
+it pushes her back into reality. She wakes up with a start and spills
+the bowl of soup, now cold, onto her lap. The phone is ringing. Kevin
+answers it.
+
+Lilly – “Are you still mad at me?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, a little.”
+
+Lilly – “Tell you what, why don't you come pick me up at the church,
+and the rest of the day is yours. We'll do whatever you want.”
+
+Like he said, he is still mad at her, but he can see that she is
+trying to make it right, “Okay, see you in a bit.”
+
+Helen was so tired when she came down earlier she didn't even think
+about Kevin being home, “Who was on the phone?”
+
+Kevin - “It was Lilly. I am going to take her to a movie.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, have fun.” She heads back upstairs, again using the
+back stairway. She doesn't want Kevin to see the soap on her shirt.
+
+At the Cottage
+
+They are all relieved to finally arrive at the cottage. Joan steps
+out of the van and gets her first look at the house. She stands there
+dumbfounded. She has the, ‘I just saw Rocky' look all over again.
+Grace can't help but notice the expression on her face, “Hey Girardi.
+What's with the look? Your warranty already ran out once this year.”
+
+Joan – “I've been here before, in a dream!”
+
+Joan has told Grace about some of her dreams, but not about this one,
+“Come on! This is summer vacation, not crazy camp. Get a grip!”
+
+Joan – “No, I mean it. It's been a few weeks, but I remember it all.
+Inside, there are four rooms, a living room, the kitchen, and two
+bedrooms. Okay, five counting a bathroom. There is a couch in the
+living room with faded yellow fabric. Over the back is draped a
+patchwork quilt, with designs on it like...” She pauses for a moment,
+“Like your necklace! There is another stuffed chair and a rocker. All
+are placed around a coffee table. The bedrooms each have a queen size
+bed with a pair of dressers. The kitchen has a table and chairs, and
+the counter is lined with an assortment of appliances.” She pauses
+again, “And the cupboard under the sink is open. There is a toolbox
+open with some tools lying on the floor. That's what I saw.”
+
+Now Grace is dumbfounded and so are the others. Joan hadn't noticed
+them gathering around her. Grace knows Joan has never been here
+before, but she doesn't believe all of this mumbo jumbo stuff, “Come
+on in. Maybe you should take a nap before we go swimming.”
+
+They all grab grocery bags and luggage and carry them into the
+cottage. As they enter the kitchen, they see the open cupboard and
+the toolbox there, just as Joan had described. They all begin to
+stare at Joan, wondering how she knew. The toolbox belonged to a
+plumber who was supposed to be finished already. He must have left it
+here by mistake.
+
+Joan found her way to the couch and sat down. She is still in awe of
+what she is seeing. Grace comes back from the kitchen and sits next
+to Joan, “Come on. You really do look like you need a nap.” She
+escorts Joan to the rear bedroom where Joan lies down.
+
+After Joan is asleep, the conversations ensue. Luke and Adam just
+observe, but Rabbi and Sarah Polonsky are full of questions. They
+directed them all at Grace: “How did she know that? Why haven't you
+told us about this before? How long has she been able to do this?”
+Grace has no answers, at least none that make any sense, “Dreams, she
+has dreams. That's all I know.”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen has changed her clothes and is back sitting at the table when
+Will arrives.
+
+Helen – “Hi, Hon, can I make you some lunch?”
+
+Will – “No, sit tight. I'm going to make a masterpiece sandwich with
+the Italian salami that came on Thursday. So, are you feeling
+better?”
+
+Helen – “Yes and no.”
+
+Will loves that kind of answer. It usually means that whatever
+follows, he won't understand, “Okay, tell me about it.”
+
+Helen – “Finish making your sandwich, and then we'll talk.” Helen
+waits while Will finishes and sits down at the table, “I've had
+another dream.”
+
+Will has become accustomed to Helen's dreams, but is still not
+comfortable with them, “What was this one about?”
+
+Helen – “The Synagogue fire.I saw who set it.”
+
+Will – “Clowns?”
+
+Helen is becoming a little annoyed with his clown remarks, “No, it
+was Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Will – “Have you been talking to Joan?”
+
+Helen – “No, but I will when she gets home. I saw it clear as day. He
+carried in two large boxes. Then he took out large jugs half filled
+with something, probably gasoline. The tops were sealed with wire
+wrapped around the top and the neck. There were five of them. He
+placed them in different parts of the room. Then he took a gas can
+and sprinkled gas all over. Then he got a second can and did the same
+in a different part of the room. Then he walked to the door and lit a
+match. That's what I saw.”
+
+Will doesn't know what to think now. There was no way she could have
+known there were five gasoline bombs, but he is still leery of her
+dreams. “What am I supposed to do, arrest Ryan Hunter, because you
+had a dream and Joan thinks he's guilty for whatever reason?”
+
+Helen – “I know what I know, and it's up to you to decide what to do
+about it. But if you ever want to catch who set that fire, you had
+better start looking harder at Ryan Hunter. That ‘upstanding citizen'
+notion of yours is crap!”
+
+Will – “Okay, Helen, I don't want to fight with you today.” He pauses
+for a moment, “Tell you what. Tomorrow, I promise, I'll start asking
+questions about him. Fair enough?”
+
+Helen is still mad, but doesn't want to fight with him either, “Fair
+enough. I'm going to take a shower, and then we are going out. I'll
+decide where while I'm in the shower.”
+
+At the Theater
+
+Kevin – “Okay, looks like there are two movies that will start in ten
+minutes.” He directs her attention to the movie posters on display,
+“Which of these do you want to see?”
+
+Lilly looks them over and points, “How about that one?”
+
+Kevin glances at the poster, but then does a double take, “Wow! You
+know, that one actress sure looks a lot like Joan. This is going to
+be weird.” Kevin buys the tickets, and they enter the theater, “Okay,
+pants it is.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan is awakened by the sound of a lawnmower. Adam is clearing a path
+down to the tire swing. Joan comes out to the kitchen to find the
+Polonsky's sitting at the table, “Mrs. Polonsky, do you have anything
+for a headache?”
+
+Sarah – “I have some aspirin in my purse. Would that be okay?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that will be fine.” She sits down at the table,
+obviously not feeling well.
+
+Sarah makes a glass of ice and brings a drink with the aspirin, “We
+bought Mug Root Beer. Grace tells us it's one of your favorites.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Mrs. Polonsky.I should be okay in a little while.”
+
+They engage in chitchat, specifically avoiding what happened earlier.
+After a little while, Joan begins to feel better.
+
+Grace – “Come on, let's see you in that new swimsuit! I have a new
+one too.” They both go into the bedroom to change.
+
+Joan actually bought a skirtsuit. Just like it sounds, it looks more
+like a short dress than a swimsuit. It's one piece with attached
+panties. The background is varying shades of light blue with dark
+blue and white daisies in the foreground. Very pretty!
+
+Grace's swimsuit is a two-piece, but very conservatively styled. The
+top is styled like a sports bra and the bottom is more like
+short-shorts. The color is light green with small dots and half-moon
+shapes printed throughout the fabric. Again, very pretty.
+
+Joan and Grace come out and model their swimsuits for the Polonsky
+parents. They receive the appropriate compliments and head down to
+the lake. While Adam was mowing, Luke was inflating the inner tubes
+and a huge beach ball. All of the fun is prepared by the time the
+girls arrive.
+
+Joan and Grace both grab an inner tube and take them to the end of
+the dock. They drop them into the water and slip inside. Luke and
+Adam begin taking turns on the tire swing. As they swing out over the
+water, they jump. Remember the image of Will Ferrell falling out of a
+plane? Well, imagine it even funnier.
+
+After awhile, Luke and Adam become bored with the swing. They pick up
+their inner tubes and join the girls. They also bring the beach ball.
+A game of volleyball ensues. Perhaps volleyball isn't the correct
+word. They bat the ball around playing catch. Whatever you call it,
+they all have a lot of fun.
+
+At Home
+
+Helen has finished her shower and is reading the newspaper. She
+remembers seeing something earlier, but needs to refresh her memory.
+As she reads, she thinks to herself, ‘Great, a one o'clock showing’.
+She hands Will the paper and says, “This is what I want to go see.”
+
+Will reads the article, “\ Jesus Christ Superstar? Didn't that come
+out in the 70's?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, but I never got to see it. They are a group of amateur
+actors, but I think it would be fun. I know you enjoyed Zombies
+Arise.”
+
+Will – “That's because Joan was in it. Can't you think of something
+else?”
+
+Helen – “Please.”
+
+Will relents, “Okay.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Sarah calls the kids in for lunch. She has prepared Kreplach, which
+is a Jewish ravioli. She has also set the table with Jewish Rye
+bread, peanut butter, and an assortment of homemade preserves.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Out of habit, this morning, I said the prayer in
+Hebrew. I should have been more considerate of our guests. For the
+rest of our time together, I will recite the prayers in English.” He
+asks for them to remain quietly seated while they wash their hands.
+
+When they did this at breakfast, Joan thought it was kind of strange.
+They had all just washed their hands! But, Grace explained that it
+was religious ritual, not about cleaning their hands. She remembered
+what God had told her about religions, “People need different ways to
+relate to God, and religions are just different ways to share the
+same truth.”
+
+The Polonsky's walk over to the sink and pour a little water over
+each of his hands three times and say a blessing while drying his
+hands, “ Praised be to God, Ruler of the World, who blesses us with
+the commandments, commanding us to wash our hands.”
+
+When they return, Rabbi Polonsky recites a prayer, “Blessed are You,
+Lord, our God, King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the
+earth. Amen.”
+
+Adam – “Wow, Mrs. P., it has been so long since I had this. Thanks!”
+
+Joan – “What is it?”
+
+Sarah – “It’s called Kreplach. It’s similar to ravioli, try it. You
+can make sandwiches if you prefer.”
+
+Luke – “Well, I'm starving. I'll try it.”
+
+They pass their plates around and Sarah places a serving of Kreplach
+on each plate. They also pass around the bread, peanut butter, and
+the preserves.
+
+Joan – “This is the first Jewish food I have ever eaten, except for
+at Grace's Bat Mitzvah. It tastes just like the ravioli we have at
+home. It's really good!”
+
+Sarah – “ Thank you, Joan. Have all that you want.” The conversation
+ceases while they eat, “What do you kids plan to do after lunch?”
+
+They all look at each other. They have had enough swimming for now.
+Then Joan speaks up, “I would like to go for a walk. It's so
+beautiful here.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, let's go see the toboggan slide.”
+
+Adam – “Isn't that for in the winter?”
+
+Grace – “Usually, but not this one. You ride the sled down, and it
+shoots you out over the water. It's really a lot of fun.”
+
+Luke – “I'm in.”
+
+Joan – “Is it anything like the high dive? Because if it is, I don't
+know if I can do it.”
+
+Grace – “Let's just go look now. We can wait until tomorrow to
+actually decide.”
+
+When the meal is finished, Rabbi Polonsky again recites a prayer,
+“Blessed are you, LORD our God, master of the universe, Who nourishes
+the whole world in goodness, with grace, kindness, and compassion. He
+gives bread to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. And through
+His great goodness we have never lacked, nor will we lack food
+forever, for the sake of His great Name. For He is God, who nourishes
+and sustains all, and does good to all, and prepares food for all His
+creatures which He created. Blessed are You, LORD, who nourishes all.
+Amen.”
+
+When the prayer is finished, the gang goes strolling out the front,
+and Grace leads them to the right down the road. The whole area is
+heavily wooded, and the trees have an abundance of wildlife living in
+them. The birds are making a ruckus because two squirrels are chasing
+each other, jumping from limb to limb, and the birds don't like them
+invading their space. They all stop to watch the entertainment.
+
+They continue walking along, when they come upon a ditch on the side
+of the road. A patch of cattails and wildflowers catches Joan's eye,
+“Black-Eyed Susans! I love ‘em.” She walks down into the ditch to
+pick a bouquet. She caresses each plant as she gently breaks the stem
+about six inches down from each flower. She collects them all. There
+were only about a dozen flowers blooming, “Grace, let me put one in
+your hair.”
+
+Grace – “No way!I don't want people to think I'm a flower girl.”
+
+Joan – “This is a flower and you are a girl. Come on.”
+
+Grace again refuses, but Joan quickly slips the stem of the flower
+down the front of her blouse, “Ok, wear it there.”
+
+Grace is about to remove it when Joan also slips a stem down the
+front of her blouse, “There, now we are both pretty.” Grace decides
+to let it go and leaves the flower in place.
+
+Luke has enjoyed Joan and Grace's exchange, and is doing everything
+he can to keep from laughing. He knows how uncomfortable Grace is
+with girlie things. Adam is also amused, but limits himself to a
+smile.
+
+When they reach the slide, Luke is really impressed, “Wow, look at
+that! It must be 30 feet high.” His estimate was accurate, with the
+base of the slide being about a foot above the water. Joan thinks to
+herself, ‘Not me’. Adam is just mind-boggled. Grace is also thinking,
+‘Not me’, but pretends to be impressed as well. The slide is fenced
+off, so they walk over to the entrance to see the rates published on
+a billboard.
+
+Adam – “Tomorrow is going to be fun!”
+
+Joan – “We'll see, let's head back. My flowers need water.”
+
+Adam – “There was this movie called Bed of Roses. Christian Slater
+delivered flowers. Anyway, he said if you put Seven-Up in the water,
+the flowers will last longer.”
+
+Joan cracks a smile, “Do you think Mug Root Beer might work?”
+
+Everyone gives her the kind of smile you give when someone tells a
+stupid joke. They continue their stroll back to the cottage, when
+Adam again breaks the silence, “Joan. When are you going to tell us
+about what happened earlier?”
+
+Joan, hoping this conversation would wait, returns, “I don't want to
+talk about it now.”
+
+Adam – “But we all want to know how you did that.”
+
+Joan – “I don't understand it myself, and I'm not sure if I'm ready
+to devolve from a sub-defective into a freakazoid. Just drop it.”
+
+They can all see she is starting to get angry, but Luke can't resist
+adding one more comment, “But you are already there.” Joan and Luke
+exchange cutting glares, and the walk back to the cottage continues
+in silence.
+
+At the Community Theater
+
+Helen and Will arrive and find perfect seats near the front and
+center of the stage. Helen begins to read the synopsis of the play,
+more just to kill time than anything else. It's not like either of
+them doesn't know what the play is about. Helen puts the flyer in her
+purse and looks at Will, “I'm so excited.” Will looks back and gently
+takes her hand. There are a hundred places he would rather be, but
+none of them are without her. He has decided to try to enjoy the play
+and let whatever happens, happen.
+
+As the play progresses, Helen is drawn toward the character of Mary
+Magdalene. She looks familiar, but Mary's long brown hair is
+confusing. She continues watching, enjoying the play immensely.
+Finally, Mary becomes the center of attention. She begins to sing.
+
+I don't know how to love him.
+What to do, how to move him.
+I've been changed, yes really changed.
+In these past few days, when I've seen myself,
+I seem like someone else.
+I don't know how to take this.
+I don't see why he moves me.
+He's a man. He's just a man.
+And I've had so many men before,
+In very many ways, He's just one more...
+
+Helen realizes, ‘That voice, I know that voice.' She leans over in
+the seat and pulls out the flyer form her purse. She reads it with
+the penlight on her key chain, ‘Mary Magdalene... Elizabeth
+Goetzmann.' She sits back up, pleased with herself that she has
+figured it out. She plans to congratulate Elizabeth after the show
+for a fine performance.
+
+At the Theater
+
+Kevin – “Well, that was a good movie. Kind of a chick flick, but I
+enjoyed it. What did you think?”
+
+Lilly quotes from the movie, “You are really good with that thing!”
+
+Kevin answers, quoting from the movie as well, “Yeah, well we all
+have our little talents.”
+
+Together, “And then she shot a price tag onto her forehead!” They
+both start laughing.
+
+Lilly – “So, what would you like to do now?”
+
+Kevin – “I need to go home and change clothes and clean up. Then we
+can think about dinner.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+When they arrive, Joan takes the flowers to Mrs. Polonsky, “Do you
+have something I can put these in?”
+
+Sarah – “How pretty! I don't have any vases here, but let me look.”
+She finds a quart-size canning jar, “This is about the right size.”
+Joan puts the flowers in and Sarah fills the jar with water.
+
+Joan lowers her voice almost to a whisper, “Do you happen to have any
+Seven-Up?”
+
+Sarah – “No, I'm sorry. Are you thirsty?”
+
+Joan – “No, never mind. Thank you.” She takes the flowers with her
+and places them on the coffee table as she sits down.
+
+Adam and Luke are already seated when Grace joins them with a box of
+cards, “Have you ever played Skip-Bo?” Everyone shakes their heads,
+“Me neither.” She reads the rules and they begin to play the came.
+They quickly get the hang of it. The smiles appear on everyone's
+faces as they are able to play or foil another's chances of victory.
+Luke is especially intrigued. No special effects, no monsters to
+shoot, how can such a simple game be so much fun?
+
+At the Community Theater
+
+Date Line Arcadia is small segment of the local evening news. It
+covers events of local interest such as this one, the opening
+performance of a new play. The crew plans to interview patrons as
+they leave the theater.
+
+Inside, they are most of the way through act two. Most of the cast is
+on stage singing Could We Start Again Please?. Suddenly, there is an
+explosion. The curtains on the left side of the stage become engulfed
+in flames. Flames also spew out over the cast, catching some of their
+costumes on fire. The audience immediately begins to flee. Will
+escorts Helen to an emergency exit to the right of the stage. He
+pauses and looks at her, “Go, get out!” He leaves her and jumps up
+onto the stage. He joins others who have begun to help the injured
+entertainers. Half of the stage is now on fire, and all but three of
+the performers have been able to flee. The other men tear down the
+curtain from the right side of the stage and use it as a blanket to
+put out the flames on two of the performers costumes. Will's victim
+only had her brown wig on fire, and he was able to pull it off and
+cast it aside. They each carry their charges to the exit.
+
+The news crew is filming when Will and the others bring their victims
+out of the theater. Will lays the girl he has carried down and begins
+to check her condition. Helen joins him as he comes out of the
+theater.
+
+Helen – “Elizabeth, are you all right?”
+
+Elizabethresponds by coughing, “I'm not sure. I think so.”
+
+Will looks her over and sees that her most serious injury appears to
+be her lack of hair on one prominent spot on her head, “You look like
+you will be okay, but we'll let the paramedics decide.”
+
+Helen – “I'm so glad you are okay. Your performance today was
+marvelous!”
+
+Elizabeth– “Thank you, Mrs. Girardi.”
+
+Will realizes that they obviously know each other, “Hi, I'm Will
+Girardi. Nice to meet you.” He pauses for a moment, “And I think your
+performance was wonderful too.”
+
+Elizabeth– “Thank you, Mr. Girardi.” The conversation ends as the
+paramedics take over.
+
+At Home
+
+Kevin goes upstairs to change and get cleaned up. Lilly waits
+downstairs. There are some things Kevin prefers to do in private.
+
+As Lily waits on the couch, bored, she begins to look around. She
+notices the open newspaper on the coffee table with something
+circled. It is the schedule for the play Helen had circled for Will.
+She thinks to herself, ‘Hmm, maybe this is something Kevin and I can
+go see.'
+
+She notices the remote and clicks on the television. The reporter is
+talking about the fire. “Just moments ago, fire broke out in the
+Arcadia Community Theater. Our reporters were on the scene when it
+happened.” They begin to show the footage shot of Will carrying
+Elizabeth out of the fire. They also pan over to show Will, Helen,
+and Elizabeth talking. The reporter comments during the footage, “The
+fire was quickly put under control and the damage is limited to the
+stage area. The man you saw is Detective Will Girardi of the Arcadia
+Sheriff's Department. He was one of the patrons at the play. The
+performer he carried out is Elizabeth Goetzmann who played Mary
+Magdalene. Both have been transported to University Medical Center
+for treatment of burns. Two other…”
+
+Lilly yells, “Kevin, your Dad's been hurt!” She runs up the stairs,
+pounds on the bathroom door, and yells again, “Kevin, your Dad's been
+hurt in a fire. He's at UMC!”
+