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"Two days!"

Just the thought of leaving and going back into the real world was terrifying.

"That's what they're telling me. I've arranged for a therapist to be at the house three times a week at minimum."

"Why are you doing all this?" I asked.

"Why?" She smiled. It was more like a silent laugh. "Why? Because it has to be done and there's no one else to do it, especially not your mother.

"Oh. I've kept her abreast of it all. and Grant, of course." she added. "He wants you to know he harbors no ill feelings toward you. I assure you, he doesn't blame you one iota for what happened to Brody," she emphasized. "Now that he has had time to consider the why's and wherefor's," she added.

She crossed her long, thin legs and sat back with a look of Grand satisfaction rippling- across her thin face. Her eyes were almost electric with glee. So that's what she's doing. I thought. She's using me like a thorn to keep between Grant and my mother. She's finally found a purpose for me in her overall

I thought about the advice Doctor Synder had given me. It was essential not to become dependent upon anyone. That was doubly true in regards to Victoria,

"How do you know I even want to return to that house?" I asked.

She tilted her head as though the thought weighed down her brain on one side and threw it off balance.

"Where else would you go now?"

"I could go back to England." I said. It was such a pipe dream that even I had trouble saving it convincingly. She stared for a moment.

"And do what?" she asked.

"Whatever I'll be doing here."

"Nonsense. For one thing, you wouldn't have the support system you'll have here. Everything's more expensive there. You're not a citizen. You're not going to benefit from their health programs.

"I've decided not to sell the house anyway," she said. "With all that's happened to you, you can't think clearly and sensibly. You'll have to rely on me and that's that. My mother would be furious if I deserted you now."

She stood up.

I didn't know whether to laugh or not. Since when did she worry about what Grandmother Hudson would think? Didn't she think I could see through this false new sense of responsibility? Didn't she think I knew exactly what she wanted and what she was doing?

Yet, what choice did I really have? Take advantage of it. I thought, Take advantage of them all.

"All right." I said. "For a while anyway."

"It will be more than a while. Rain," she said. "There's no point in being like your mother and living in a world of dreams and illusions. When you face up to facts and reality, you get stronger and in the end, you're happier."

"Are you happy. Aunt Victoria?" I shot back at her.

Her smile came out as if it was actually a blooming flower stored too long under that hard shell of a face.

"I'm getting there," she said. "Finally."

She looked like her eyes were filled with all sorts of pleasing images. Then she blinked, looked down at me, and straightened up again.

"I'll see to the transporting of you back to your home the day after tomorrow. I understand Jake visits you frequently. Convey any requests through him and I'll see that whatever is within reason will be achieved.

"Is there anything you need or want at the moment?"

"Just my legs again," I said.

"Yes, well each of us has a burden to carry."

"What's yours. Aunt Victoria?" I asked.