"How are you doing this fine morning, Miss James?"
   Snapping her head up, Grace smiled brilliantly and gave a soft laugh. "I'm doing fine, Doctor. But I'd like to know when I could go home? No offense or anything, but I'm kind of anxious to get out of here."
   Grinning at her happiness, Doctor Connelly nodded. "I totally understand, Miss James. We'll just quickly scan your chart and check you out some more, and then we'll see what we can do about getting you out of here."
   Looking up from the metal clipboard he smiled again, "How does that sound?"
   Her return enthusiasm made him laugh as she nodded and bounced a little on her bed. "Do you know when my parents are going to be back today?" She asked as she sat up some and he lifted the back of her shirt.
   Once the stethoscope landed on her skin she shivered, "I haven't seen them since last night, but they said that they'd be back this morning."
   "I have them waiting for me in my office." He conceded as he moved forward and took his penlight from his pocket. "Look up. I wanted to talk to them after I checked you over, and perhaps explain a few things. Look down. Just to make sure they use the proper care for you."
   Backing away, he flicked his penlight off and placed it back in his pocket. Again, he smiled at her. "Well, you seem to be disgustingly healthy."
   Grace laughed delightedly, "Great! Can I go home then?"
   Grabbing her chart up again, he started scribbling over it. "We'll see. I'd like to ask you a few questions now."
   Sighing, Grace sat back against the pillow and nodded warily. "Fire away then."
   Tapping his chin, Doctor Connelly watched her for a moment. "How have you been feeling since you woke up two nights ago?"
   Grace smiled automatically, "Great! A bit of cabin fever, but I'm doing fine."
   "No headaches? No double vision? No nausea?"
   She shook her head slowly, "No, none of that." Then she perked up, "I really do feel fine, and I know everyone's worried about me, but I'm okay now."
   Nodding, Doctor Connelly lowered her chart. "Do you know why you needed to come here?"
   Grace bit her lip, and agonized over that. "No." She shook her head again. "I figure I must have gotten over heated again, and passed out. Cause that has happened a couple times before, and I didn't always know what happened when I came to."
   "Yeah, I know about that." Doctor Connelly murmured, then smiling for her to relieve the anxiety spreading over her face. "Well, I'm going to go talk with your parents."
   When he got to the door, he didn't turn around, but casually commented; "Why do you get dressed so that when they come here you can go home?"
   She squealed with excitement as he stepped out into the hallway and a small smile stretched his thin lips.
   The enjoyment didn't last long though as he turned and walked to his office. Bracing himself for the encounter, he steeled his resolve and stepped inside. "Mister and Misses James?" He asked cautiously.
   The older couple immediately stood from the leather seats in front of his desk, and Doctor Connelly noticed a nervous teen leaning against the wall straighten up.
   "It seems your daughter has repressed what has happened. Not only from the past few nights, but from what you've stated, from the past few months as well."
   The announcement flew past his lips before he could try and soften them, and the stark panic from the couple reminded him that he should have taken the time to try. Moving forward, he took his seat behind his desk, and motioned for them to sit down. The young man simply leaned against the wall, yet his stance was rigid.
   Clearing his throat he shuffled the files on the desktop and tried to relax some. "I recommend that Grace be released today, and that you take her home to recover more. I believe her memory will come back. Repression is just her conscience realizing she isn't strong enough to remember just yet, but that doesn't mean she'll never be ready either."
   He hated this part. Explaining the reasons why he couldn't send home a whole family member. Knowing that their daughter may never fully remember, and be, as they knew her to be.
   "I don't want you to force those memories back though. She has to do it on her own. If she asks questions, you may answer them of course. But don't go into heavy explanations because that'll only confuse her more, or she may even try and turn herself into what you're saying just because you said so."
   "Go with what she remembers. Even if it's past tense now, because to her it's still the present and future. For her, none of it's happened yet. So anything like seeing movies, or keeping dates, or anything like that. Let her believe it's still happening or about to happen. But don't mention it already has happened."
   Taking in a deep breath and leaning back, Doctor Connelly started tapping his fingernails and stared at the teen again. "Are you her brother?" He asked abruptly.
   The teen shook his head. "I'm Taylor."
   At the still questioning look, he turned to Mr. and Mrs. James then shrugged, "Grace's boyfriend."