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Day 7
"Robert admitted dissolving the sleeping pill in her water," Dr. Harrison explained the next morning. "After what took place in the cafeteria at breakfast he didn't want to take any chances. I guess he wasn't counting on Charlotte and Lucy stepping in to save the day. I don't know how many pills he and Patsy moved out of here, but I don't think it's been going on long. We'd have seen more patient problems if they had. I'm just thankful it's been discovered!"
Harry, CJ, Amanda, and Matt met in Dr. Harrison's office, along with Nurse Gabby, Dr. Alden, and several of the therapists.
"I think it's a good idea to have a group therapy session, even though it's not normal for Sunday," Dr. Alden said. "A lot of the guests are upset and have questions."
"We'll handle the ones who need extra reassurance," one of the therapists offered.
"Nurse Gabby and I will start calling the guardians, to answer their questions," Dr. Harrison said. The look on his face made it obvious he'd rather deal with the guests.
At breakfast some of the guests talked about the night's disruption, but most were more interested in using their cameras. Word spread that Cliff had found a new facility. Dr. Alden moved the group therapy session to right after breakfast. She opened the meeting for discussion.
"I got a picture of Lou stealing my blanket in the middle of the night," Lee said.
"Well, I'm glad you had a chance to work with the project, Lee, but today's session is about what took place last night with Robert and the police." Dr. Alden tried to steer the conversation.
Lee scowled. "I'm trying to tell you what happened last night!"
"Okay, thank you for sharing that," Dr. Alden replied. "Anyone else?"
"Someone stole my new bra and shot it full of holes," Judy yelled. "I'm gonna make one of those live surveillance cameras and catch the person next time!" Dr. Alden looked dismayed. This wasn't going the way she anticipated.
"I got a picture of Susan sneaking an extra orange at breakfast," one of the guests tattled.
"I need the extra vitamin C," Susan said defensively. "At least I wasn't sneaking Tinkle cakes and Ding-a-Lings in my bed last night. I took a picture," she said smugly.
"George was looking at the underwear pictures in the sales ads," someone yelled.
"I need new underwear," George growled.
"You was looking at the ladies in the ads!"
"I like the ladies," George admitted with a blush. "They're pretty. And I never seen such tig old bitties!"
"I had some," Judy volunteered. "Until last night, and they got shot all to hell. Dr. Alden, are guns allowed in here? Because someone has a gun. I'll show you my bra if you don't believe me."
"I'll look at your bra," George offered.
"How about if we forget about the bra for now," Dr. Alden suggested. "Who else would like to share an experience?" Several hands went up and Dr. Alden continued, "About Robert and police?" Most of the hands went down. "Charlotte, do you have something to contribute that relates to the events of last night?"
Charlotte nodded. "I was right there when it happened. Ladies, don't let them give you those green pills or you'll be growing twigs and berries. Those pills are only for the men. And you men? Don't be taking those blue pills or you'll get a set of fun bags. I know, because Robert told me!" Dr. Alden rubbed her forehead and Sady tried not to laugh.
Sady raised her hand and Dr. Alden reluctantly called on her. The meeting was out of her hands now.
"I just want everyone to know that I'm going home today, but I'll miss you. Thank you for helping me see I should never give up. You've helped me learn how important friends and family are and talking when things are going bad. And mostly you've helped me see that others need me, just like someone needs each one of you." Sady wiped the corner of her eye and Frank squeezed her hand.
The rest of the discussion continued like any weekday session, and Sady marveled at the resilience of the guests. Life knocked them every which way, but they always managed to get back up. They would never know what an inspiration they were, but Sady would never forget.
After the session finished, Sady lingered only a few minutes to say goodbye. "I'm calling to make sure you quit smoking," Sady told Frank with a hug. "And we'll do lunch! Amanda and I have questions about investigating that might skate outside the strictest letter of the law and we want your opinion."
When the session ended, she barreled out the therapy room door and ran to the reception area where her friends waited to take her home. She had packed before breakfast and took her bag to the reception area. Harry got the first hug, and she nearly knocked him off his feet. Harry looked like a proud father, and CJ just smiled. Sady made the rounds and, as usual, Matt was last and he didn't let go of her. Nurse Gabby was there as well- not to say goodbye but to make sure she left.
Amanda cleared her throat loudly and rubbed her blouse with her left hand. Sady's eyes grew big. Amanda wore an engagement ring with a diamond the size of a marble. At Sady's questioning look she explained. "Joey promised to continue providing art supplies," she said.
"Are you really going to marry him?" Sady asked in awe.
Amanda looked at the ring. "Maybe, when he finally gets around to buying me a ring equal to my worth. It gets a little better each time, but this is still a little cheap."
Sady nearly choked as the ring was worth a fortune. Matt mumbled, "Tell him to try Cracker-Jack or a gumball machine next time."
"Amanda, I didn't know Joey is Italian," Sady said.
"Uh, huh."
"Oh, my God, Italians have huge families. I'm not ready for this," Matt groaned. "Let me know when you start having kids so I can book a room here!"
"Stubbles, just for that you're gonna be the godfather," Amanda threatened.
"Does that mean I can order a hit?" Matt asked. He didn't even notice when Harry handed him Sady's bag and snagged Sady's arm for himself. CJ took her other arm, and they walked Sady out the door while Matt and Amanda trailed behind them.
"You do and you're gonna be raising all those kids on your own," Amanda replied. "Hey, are you gonna tell our girl I'm all legal now?"
"Legal? That's always been debatable," Matt scoffed.
"Thanks for bringing me back home," Sady whispered to Harry and CJ with a smile. She climbed into the back seat of their SUV. Amanda and Matt sat on either side of her. Matt took her hand, then looked over with a glare when Amanda grabbed her other hand.
"Go find your own hand to hold," he said. "Like the poor schlepp whose rings you keep taking. What do you do with them, anyway? Because I know you don't return them when you break it off."
"Don't be stupid," Amanda sniffed. "Joey doesn't want a used ring back. He expects me to keep them."
"But he doesn't expect you to marry him because, oh, I don't know- you keep taking engagement rings?"
"It's an investment in our future," Amanda insisted, while Matt snorted.
"I doubt he's counting on you to haul the family financial chestnuts out of the fire. He owns the fire!"
Amanda looked at her ring, then buffed it on the shoulder of her blouse. "That's exactly what I thought! Thanks, Stubbles, for confirming it. I deserve better. When I get home, I'm gonna put it in my jewelry box with all the others and call Joey to let him know we're in agreement- that he's cheap, and he'd better bust open the piggy bank vault before I get snatched up by some fine man who isn't so tight."
Matt felt Sady laughing beside him and he leaned around her again. This time he smiled at Amanda and she winked at him.
Harry dropped them at the front door of their apartment building. Once inside the security guard welcomed Sady back with a grin. Matt's eyes narrowed- with good reason. Argus and Bea Davis rushed out from behind his station with welcoming hugs for Sady and Matt. Amanda ran for her apartment before she was dragged into the messy reunion. The Davis children were always messy. After a few minutes the guard called Mrs. Davis to come pick up her children.
Matt hauled Sady to the elevator. "Hurry, before she brings the little puker!" He looked down at the peanut butter and honey smeared on his clothes. "I hope she's in the other elevator!"
"If it makes you feel better, I'm sure it's all natural," Sady offered, as the empty elevator opened in front of them.
He narrowed his eyes. "So's everything else that comes out of them. That's not helping." Sady smiled and they got off on the tenth floor when the elevator stopped.
"At least we didn't cross paths with Mrs. D and the little puker," she reminded him.
"Okay, I'll give you that one," he said. "Now come on- I have something for you. Actually, this gift is from all of us." He hauled Sady down to his apartment and unlocked the door. Once inside he handed her a bag.
She looked at the bag uncertainly. "The last time this happened I went home and cried," she confessed.
"Then you aren't going home right away. You're staying right here and you can cry on my shoulder and talk all you want," he offered. "You can even yell at me about Bob if it makes you feel better. And we're ordering a pizza."
Sady smiled and opened the bag. Another oversize T-shirt. This one was a Lansing Lugnuts Baseball team shirt. The front showed a cartoon hex shaped nut character, and the back read 'Let's Go Nuts!' Sady put it on and modeled it proudly. After spinning a few times she stopped.
"Are you okay?" Matt asked. "Do you need to cry?"
She shook her head, and he said, "Good. Change in plans then. Instead of tears and pizza we're having Chinese and a movie. You go pick out a movie and I'll order." Sady hugged him and ran for his TV, still wearing the shirt.
"Make sure you order lots of food," Sady yelled. He smiled and doubled the order. "And lots of extra fortune cookies, so I can plan my week," she added.
The food arrived and Sady hadn’t decided what movie to watch. As Matt set out the food someone knocked on his door.
"Don't look at me," Sady said. "I'm not expecting anyone."
Matt shrugged and opened the door, then tried to close it before Amanda pushed her way through with a bowl of strawberry jello with bananas and whipped cream.
"What are you doing here?" he glared.
"That's no way to welcome dessert," she scolded, walking past him to the kitchen.
"If you're referring to yourself, then you'd better take another look in the mirror," he told her. Sady poked her head into the kitchen and squealed when she saw the jello. Amanda gave Matt an I told you so look and handed him the bowl, while she followed Sady to the living room. He shoved the jello into his fridge and yelled, "Save some for me!"
When he got back to his living room Sady had settled into one corner of the couch, and Amanda parked herself in the middle, leaving Matt the other end. "Hurry up, Stubbles! The food's getting cold and we want to get the movie rolling."
He shook his head and smiled to himself. Instead of prying Amanda from her seat he pulled Sady to her feet and took her spot. She seemed puzzled until he gave her a yank and settled her on his lap. "Now we're ready, Amanda. Let's get the show rolling."
Amanda raised a brow at Sady. "Do I need to have a talk with him like I did Cliff?" Sady snickered and shook her head while Matt glared at Amanda.
"Mind you own business, Keller," he told Amanda.
"And you mind your own business, not hers," Amanda warned. "I'll be watching and you'd better not be sampling the goods."
Matt muttered a few things under his breath before turning to Sady. "What are we watching, Sassafras?" he asked.
"Movie marathon. I couldn't decide so I picked two Bill Murray movies- 'What About Bob?' and 'The Man Who Knew Too Little'."
Another knock on the door and Matt yelled, "It's open, CJ. You and Harry get in here with the beer."
"I love family movie night!" Sady told Matt. "Do you mind?"
He hugged her tight as he reached around her to take an egg roll off her plate. "As long as you stay where you're at and Amanda keeps her hands to herself I'm ready for anything, Sandy-Sue Morrow... even strawberry jello with bananas!"