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Secrets 91, Page 4


This seemed to do the trick. After a few minutes they heard the toilet flush, then the water being turned on in the sink. Five minutes had passed and the water was still running.

"Brina, is everything all right?" Janet called out through the opening in the door.

"I'm fine, thank you," they heard her call back.

Another couple of minutes passed. The water was still running. They looked to Susannah for direction. Susannah motioned for them to go inside.

"Brina, we're coming in to see how you are," Connie called out.

Brina stood by the sink. She was washing her hands over and over again. She would wash them, look at them and mutter. "They're dirty . . . just filthy." She would wash them over again.

"OCD," Connie whispered to Susannah. Susannah nodded. They both recognized that Brina most likely had an obsessive-compulsive disorder. They also knew it was common for it to start in adolescence.

"Okay, let's get her out of there. If we let her, she'll scrub her hands raw," Susannah whispered back. Susannah stepped into the bathroom. "Brina, do you think your hands are still dirty?"

"They are! They're horribly dirty and full of germs." Brina kept scrubbing her hands as she spoke.

"Did you touch something dirty?" Susannah pressed.

"I try to be careful, but it's all over everything," Brina complained.

"What's all over everything?" Susannah wanted clarity.

"Filth! It's covering everything, especially our bodies. I hate my body. It's disgusting. Especially . . ." Brina's voice trailed off.

"Especially what, can you tell me?" Susannah pushed.

Brina shrugged. "Especially the parts where we go to the bathroom," she whispered.

Brina rinsed her hands off. She studied them closely, front and back. She shook her head in disgust and lathered up again.

Susannah quickly glanced in Janet and Connie's direction. Susannah knew the best way to treat OCD was, usually, CBT. In this case, she was afraid that Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques might be too stressful for this fragile child who just came into their world. She realized she would have to take it slowly. Susannah hoped that Zoloft would help since SSRIs were often helpful with OCD. Susannah knew it was most likely obsessive sexual thoughts and possibly images and impulses that were driving Brina's compulsion. The ritualistic hand washing was the "undoing" of unacceptable thoughts. She was trying to wash away the guilt and shame. It helped to relieve her anxiety and stop the thoughts.

"Brina, the soap you're using is an antibacterial soap. You have already gotten your hands very clean. Washing them too much will irritate your skin. Let's go inside and talk a little." Susannah hoped her disorder didn't fall into the severe category.

Brina rinsed her hands and checked them out again. "No, they're still dirty. I can see it all over them." She looked down at the rest of her body. She looked toward the tub. "Can I take a shower?"

"Not right now, honey. I'd like for you to talk with me for a while." Susannah's voice was gentle, but firm.

Brina's eyes welled with tears; they trickled down her cheeks. "Please! I have to wash the dirt off. It's all over me."

Susannah stepped a little closer. "Brina, you mentioned living with the man. Can you tell me what you remember about being out before?"

"Please don't send me back to him! No! Please! I'll be good. I'll be clean! Please!" Brina was sobbing as she begged.

"Brina, shhhh. I promise. You will never have to live with the man again. The man is dead. He can never hurt you. Never!"

Brina became very quiet. "He's dead?" They were surprised to hear sadness in her voice.

"Yes, honey. Peter Manning is dead." Susannah watched Brina's reactions to this news.

Brina squeezed her eyes shut. "Can I have some aspirin? I have a terrible headache. I think I have a brain tumor." They were all shocked to hear her ask for medication. Never, had an alter or Todd been willing to be medicated, let alone ask for it.

"Brina, we'll get you some Tylenol. That will help your headache," Susannah promised."

"Thank you," Brina whispered.

"I can also tell you that Todd has very recently had some tests done on his brain and he does not have a tumor so neither do you," Susannah hoped to reassure her.

They noticed she had stopped washing her hands. She still stood by the sink. Hopefully the compulsion had passed, at least for a while.

"Brina, I think your head would feel better if you came inside and sat down for a while. Would you like something to eat?"

"Can I prepare it myself? I don't like anyone touching my food?"

Susannah did not like the sound of this. She didn't press the child for now. "Yes. We have a pantry and there's a microwave oven you can use if you want to heat something up," Susannah informed her.

They were all happy that she seemed willing to eat and take medication. Nevertheless, they were very concerned about her fear of contamination.

"Doctor Hanen, did they hurt?"

"Did what hurt?" Susannah inquired.

"Those tests that Todd had so you know he didn't have a brain tumor."

"No. They took some pictures of Todd's brain in a big machine that looks like a tunnel." Susannah described the MRI and CT scan.

Brina thought for a minute then surprised them by suggesting, "Maybe I should have those test too, to make sure I don't have a brain tumor?"

"Honey, I promise you. If Todd doesn't have a tumor, then you don't either. You live inside Todd's body. You share his brain."

Brina seemed to accept this. She was about to leave the bathroom when she caught a glimpse of her image in the mirror. "What is this thing! Why is it stuck to my face and nose?" she panicked. She put her hand near the NG tube, but did not touch it. They could see she wanted to. Her fear of touching herself held her back.

"Brina, that's called a nasogastric tube. It's a feeding tube. It won't hurt you. Todd and most of the children who live inside him don't eat enough to stay healthy, so we feed them this way," Susannah explained. She moved a little closer, in case Brina did reach for the tube.

Brina didn't. She calmed down. "It's important to stay healthy," Brina stated.

"Yes, it's very important," Susannah agreed. "You're a very smart girl to realize that."

Brina smiled. She finally stepped out of the bathroom. Janet brought her some Tylenol. Brina smiled again. "Plastic cups, I like plastic cups." She looked around the room. Brina headed for a box of tissues on the table. She lifted one out and used it to take the pill cup from Janet. She tore off a little piece of the tissue and lifted one of the pills to her mouth. She did the same with the other. She then took another tissue for the cup of water Janet still held. They all realized Brina had some very serious problems. After checking to make sure Brina had swallowed the pills, they walked her outside.

*****

"Brina, would you like to meet my son and Todd's wife?" Viki asked.

"Yes. That would be lovely," Brina answered politely.

"Téa, Kevin, I'd like you to meet Brina." Viki raised her eyebrows slightly as she spoke. Kevin and Téa understood that Todd had switched to yet another alter. "Brina is twelve years old. She doesn't like to be touched, so please be very careful," Viki cautioned.

"Hello, Brina. It's very nice to meet you," Téa greeted the young girl. A big smile covered the nervousness she felt at meeting an adolescent, female alter.

"I like your outfit." Brina admired the beige suit and white silk blouse Téa wore.

"Thank you, Brina," Téa said simply.

"When I grow up, I'm going to have an outfit like that," Brina remarked and then looked shyly at Kevin.

"Hi, Brina. What kinds of things do you like to do?" Kevin too felt a little awkward around her.

"I like school, especially Health Ed. I like to play the piano and I like to draw."

By this time, they knew they shouldn't be surprised to discover another of Todd's talents, yet they were.

"Brina, we have a music room here. If you like, after you have your snack, you can play the piano in there," Susannah informed her.

"Really! I would love that. Thank you. Sometimes the music makes the germs go away. Did you know that?"

Kevin and Téa quickly caught Viki and Susannah's eye. Even thought they didn't know what Brina was talking about, they realized this alter had her own issues.

"No, Brina. I didn't know that. Can you explain how music makes the germs go away?" Susannah coaxed.

"Yes. The germs come out when you're bad and there's bad and evil all around. Music is very beautiful. It's so beautiful that they can't survive around it."

"Honey, who told you that?" Susannah asked gently.

Brina looked down. "Can I go get something to eat now? I'm very hungry."

Susannah smiled. "Sure you can." Susannah introduced Steve. She turned back to Brina. "Connie and Steve will take you to the pantry."

*****

"A twelve year old girl? What happened? What made him switch?" Téa asked, as soon as Brina headed down the hall.

"We don't know. He was waking up from the sedation. He seemed to be dreaming and then Brina was out." Sam told them what had happened.

"What's with the fear of being touched?" Kevin asked.

"Brina most likely suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder," Susannah answered.

"I did a piece on that, remember Mom?" Viki nodded. "It was about people who couldn't stop washing their hands or checking to see if the door was locked or if the stove was turned off and things like that." Kevin tried to remember some more of what he had written.

*****

Brina looked through the food in the refrigerator. "There's nothing healthy to eat," she complained. Connie and Steve, who were in the pantry with her, looked at each other and smiled.

"I'm sorry, Brina. The other children who live inside Todd like these types of foods, when they eat. We can order almost anything you'd like from the cafeteria," Steve let her know.

"Can I go there and make my own food?" Brina's question was more of a plea.

"No, hon. I'm sorry. You can't go off the unit," Connie gently explained.

Brina went on to lecture them about all the reasons the food they had was unhealthy.

"Well, you certainly know a lot about nutrition," Steve complimented her.

"I learned it in school," Brina casually mentioned.

"Did you get to go to school a lot?" Connie probed.

"Some. I liked the school part. My sister only cares about having fun."

"What's your sister's name?" Steve kept his voice nonchalant.

"Angel. She's my twin."

"Do you girls look alike?" Connie prodded.

"We're identical, but we don't look alike at all. I think I'll have some of these." Brina pointed to some peanut butter and cheese crackers. "At least they're wrapped in plastic," she added. She also chose a cup of orange juice. She pulled some paper towels out of the dispenser on the wall. She used them to lift the food from the cabinet and the refrigerator.

As they walked back toward the dining table in the dayroom, Connie tried to get some more information about Angel. "Brina, you said that you and your sister were identical but that you didn't look at all alike. Can you explain what you mean to me?"

"She likes to look like a bad girl. I don't like her and I don't want to talk about her, please, do I have to?"

"No, hon, not right now. Why don't you sit down and enjoy your snack." Connie pointed to a chair.

Connie sat with Brina. Frank stood nearby. Steve walked over to where Sam, Kevin, Tea, Viki and Susannah sat, talking. Susannah had been explaining that she needed to get Brina to talk about any intrusive thoughts and feelings she had and how washing her hands or taking a shower helped alleviate or lessen them. She explained that she would have to get Brina to talk about her ideas on sexuality and sex. She had to get her to explore how she got the ideas that she had.

"We know that answer to that one," Sam remarked bitterly.

"Don't be so sure. Most of it probably came from Peter, but Barbara may have done plenty of damage in her own way. Don't forget the way some of her comments and attitudes affected Andy," Susannah reminded them.

Steve told them about Angel. He also told them about Brina's complaints about the food. That made them all chuckle.

"We'll have to find out what she likes and make sure there's plenty of it around," Susannah told him.

They were all thrilled to have a child who wanted to eat. They were still very concerned about her only wanting what was wrapped in plastic. Steve told them about the way she used paper towels to touch everything. Susannah wondered if it was only her fear of the world contaminating her or if she feared she was contaminating the world.

Viki, Sam and Susannah joined Connie and Brina at the table. Brina was just finishing up her snack. They noticed she had placed a paper towel under her food. She had torn off little bits of another to lift each cracker with. She lifted the juice cup with still another napkin. She avoided all skin to object contact.

"Brina, can you tell us a little bit about your sister?" Susannah asked.

"She's a nasty girl. I don't like her."

Brina's relationship with her twin was in complete contrast to the close relationship the other twins enjoyed. These twins were also the first ones they've met who, apparently, didn't mind being separated.

"In what way is she nasty?" Susannah pressed.

Brina looked down, uncomfortably. "I'm a good girl!" Her tone was defensive.

"Of course you are, sweetheart. You're a very good girl," Viki soothed.

Brina's hand accidentally brushed against the napkin that the plastic wrap from the crackers rested on. It fell to the floor. Sam reached for it before she had a chance to. Brina quickly grabbed another napkin and rubbed the spot on her hand that came in contact with the plastic wrapper. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drop it." They saw tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Brina. That's all right. I'll just throw it away for you," Sam offered. Out of force of habit, he stroked her cheek.

Brina grabbed yet another unused napkin and began to frantically wipe the cheek that Sam had just touched.

"Brina, I'm sorry. I forgot. I won't touch you again. I'm sorry." Sam felt horrible. The last thing in the world he wanted was to upset this young girl.

"Brina, it's all right. You can't catch anything from Sam just touching your cheek," Frank assured her. He moved a little closer. Brina's cheek was getting red from the hard rubbing and in her panic her nails were causing scratches.

"Brina, you need to take your hand away from your face now." Susannah spoke firmly. She didn't want to have them physically restrain this child. Brina rubbed even more frantically. "Brina, we are going to have to help you to keep your hands away from your face if you can't do it by yourself," Susannah cautioned.

"Put some gloves on and bring some extras with you," Susannah whispered to Janet.

Frank, Connie and Steve all moved in a closer. Janet rushed for some gloves. When she returned, Susannah quickly assigned limbs, should a physical restraint become necessary.

"Brina, you're hurting yourself. I'm giving you one more chance to stop rubbing your face. If you can't, we are going to have to touch you to help you keep your hands down," Susannah told her.

Brina jumped up and headed for the corner of the room, near the nurses station. She slid down and wedged herself into the corner. "Please don't hurt me! Please don't hurt me!" She rubbed her face even more furiously as she pleaded.

"Brina we're not going to hurt you. We need to keep you safe," Susannah explained.

Suddenly Brina doubled over. "Ooohhh! Ooooohhhhh! It hurts. I'm dying. Everything hurts! Help me!" Brina was gasping for breath and shaking.

"Wait here," Susannah instructed Todd's family. Susannah approached Brina. She knelt down near her. She was careful not to touch her. "Brina, honey, we're going to help you," Susannah comforted her.

"I'm dying," she gasped.

"Can you tell us what's hurting you?"

"My head and my arms and legs and . . . and everything," she sobbed.

"Brina, will you take some medication to help you feel better?" Susannah asked. She was encouraged by Brina's previous request for aspirins. The terrified child nodded. Susannah ordered some lorazepam for her.

They were all shocked at this child being so willing to take medication. She was the first one, since Todd had been hospitalized, who would willingly take any meds by mouth.

Brina's hands were shaking so badly the first pill slipped out of the medication cup in her hand. "Ooohhh, please don't be mad at me. I'm sorry. Oh! I can't breathe. My heart is beating so fast. I'm dying! Please help me! There's too much filth. I'm dying!"

Janet picked up the pill and quickly retrieved another. "Brina, will you let me drop the pill in your mouth. I'm wearing gloves. My hands never touched the pill." Janet held up her hands for Brina to see. Brina hesitated.

"Honey, it will make you feel better," Susannah promised.

Brina nodded. Janet slipped the pill into her mouth. Janet held the cup of water to her mouth with her gloved hand. Brina drank some water. Janet checked her mouth.

"I'm still sick. The medicine didn't help!" Brina cried.

"Brina, you have to give it some time to work. It'll take a few minutes. Honey, you need to slow your breathing down. I'll help you. I don't have to touch you. Just copy my breathing." Brina finally started to calm.

"You're doing great. That's it," Connie encouraged.

"Am I dying? Do I have cancer?" Brina looked up at Susannah and asked tearfully.

"Noooo. You had an anxiety attack. You're okay. Are you feeling better?" Susannah wanted to hug this child.

"A little. I'm still all shaking and my stomach hurts and my head. Maybe I need some more medicine?"

"No, honey. You had enough. It just needs a little time to work. Brina, do you think you can tell me what you felt when Sam touched you?"

Brina's head lowered slightly. Her eyes were cast down. She lifted her eyes. Those close by could see the difference immediately. The fear and panic in Brina's eyes had been replaced with a mischievous and coy look. The color of Todd's hazel eyes, which had looked almost brown when Brina was out, changed to a shade of green. Her pale cheeks became slightly rosy. She stood up and headed in Sam's direction.

"You can touch me all you want." The alter who came out said, seductively. Her voice was soft, but not delicate or timid. She took Sam's hand and placed it on her cheek. Sam froze. He didn't know how to react to this alter. Susannah walked to where they stood.

"Hi, my name is Doctor Susannah Hanen. Do you have a name?"

"Angel." She stared into Sam's eyes as she answered Susannah. She pulled Sam close to her. Her face was nearly touching his. "I'm an angel cause I can take you to heaven," she whispered. She placed her hand on Sam's crotch as she continued to stare deeply into his eyes.

Sam pulled her away from her. "Todd! Stop this!"

Angel looked confused. In a voice filled with hurt and anger she cried out, "I'm a girl! It's okay for a girl!" She approached Sam again and rested her head on his shoulder.

Sam took a deep breath to calm himself. "Angel, I'm Todd's friend and your friend. Friends don't touch each other like that."

Angel looked at him. She put her hands around his neck and started to kiss him. Sam felt her tongue in his mouth. Sam pulled his face away as he pushed her off of him. "ANGEL! STOP IT!" Sam was immediately sorry for shouting at her.

Susannah approached them. "Angel, touching someone, sexually, who doesn't want to be touched isn't okay."

Angel looked into Sam's eyes again. "Don't you like me?" A tear slid down her cheek.

Sam tried to stay calm and explain. "Yes, I like you very much, but like a daughter."

"Then I know what you want." Her voice once again purred in a seductive tone. She started to pull her pants down.

"Leave your pants on," Susannah spoke firmly.

"I know how to make my daddy happy. I'm a good girl. I'm not creepy like Brina." Angel continued to take her pants off. Téa could not believe this was happening. She stood still, afraid to move.

"Angel, leave your pants on and move away from Sam." Susannah's voice remained firm.

Angel stopped tugging at her pants. She pulled them back up. She looked as if she were going to burst into tears. Then she looked Sam's way again and looked around the room. She spotted Kevin off to the side. He was standing next to Téa. They noticed how seductively she moved as she approached Kevin. She kept looking back at Sam, making sure he was watching her.

"Is he your husband or boyfriend?" Angel asked Téa as she pointed to Kevin.

"No, of course not. I'm Todd's wife." Téa responded with shock in her voice.

"Angel do you know Todd?" Susannah asked.

"No," Angel answered. She never took her eyes off Sam. Angel walked in back of Kevin.

"Okay, Angel. Come on. Stop this," Kevin said. He was becoming very uncomfortable.

"Angel, I want you to move away from Kevin and sit down right over there." Susannah pointed to one of the chairs.

Angel ignored her. She put her arms around Kevin's neck. She pressed her body into his and rubbed up and down against him. She started to nuzzle his neck. She looked, defiantly, at Sam.

"Damn it, Angel. I said stop!" Kevin felt disgust. He was afraid he'd hurt Todd's body if he pried her off of him. He tried to control his voice, but it came out harsh anyway.

"I can make you feel good," she whispered to Kevin.

"Angel move away from Kevin. No sexual touching," Frank stated calmly. He moved closer to her.

"Angel, if you can't stop yourself, we will hold you until you can," Susannah explained.

Angel burst into tears. "I hate all of you! I hate this place! I'm going home!" She looked around and headed for the doors. Susannah and her staff quickly exchanged looks. They understood what she wanted.

"Angel, move away from the doors," Connie spoke firmly.

"I WANT TO GO HOME. MY REAL DADDY LOVES ME. HE LETS ME MAKE HIM HAPPY! HE WANTS ME! I HATE ALL OF YOU!"

The medication Brina took seemed to be having little affect on Angel. Susannah didn't want chance giving her any additional meds so soon if she could avoid it. They all moved closer to her, with Susannah getting the closest.

"Angel, It isn't safe for you to be near the doors. You are getting one more chance to move away from them. If you can't, we will have to hold you to help you stay safe," Susannah cautioned.

Angel looked at her and made a beeline for the doors. She started to pound on them and kick out at them. She screamed in frustration when they wouldn't give. Her knuckles were becoming bruised. Angel wasn't strong. It wasn't difficult to get her into a hold. It took only three staff members and Susannah. Susannah held her head and did verbal communication with her. "Angel, I know you're very angry now and it's okay to be angry. We'll keep you safe."

Téa, Sam, Kevin and Viki looked on. They hated what they were seeing. They did not want it to come to this.

"EVERYONE HERE HATES ME! LET ME GO! LET ME GO! I WANT TO GO HOME TO MY DADDY! I HATE IT HERE! LET GO OF ME! NO ONE LIKES ME HERE. MY DADDY LOVES ME! I HAAAATE YOUUU!" Angel shrieked.

Susannah was about to order her sedated when her body went limp. Then it became rigid, but there was no struggle.

"What? What's happening?" They heard Todd's panicked voice.

"Todd, it's Doctor Hanen. You're safe. You're in the dayroom. We're holding you to keep you safe. I'm holding your head and Frank is holding you in his arms. Connie and a very nice nurse named Janet are holding your legs."

"Viki!" Todd cried out.

Viki rushed to him and knelt down next to him. He was understandably disoriented to wake up and find himself being physically restrained. He had know way of knowing where he was or who was holding him. Susannah was amazed at his determination to stay blind and cause himself so much additional suffering.

"Todd, we want to let you go. You need to calm down so we know you'll stay safe," Susannah said gently.

"I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything!" Todd cried out.

"We know you didn't. We just need to make sure you're calm before we let you go. Todd, you're very safe here. Take some slow, deep breaths and try to relax," Susannah soothed.

Todd wanted to reach out for Viki. He couldn't free his arms. "Please let me go! I didn't do anything," he pleaded. Susannah cautiously released his head. "Viki, help me," Todd cried out.

"Shhhh. I'm right here, sweetheart."

Slowly his limbs were released.

"Viki, Sam!" Todd wept.

Sam knelt next to Viki. "I'm right here, pal. Everything's going to be okay." Sam felt far away and removed from the situation. He felt like he was on automatic pilot. He was giving Todd the responses he knew he should. Inside he felt numb.

Frank slowly loosened his grip on Todd's arms and torso.

"It's all right, baby. Sam and I are here with you," Viki told him lovingly and gently.

Todd reached out in the direction of their voices. Viki took him in her arms. Sam started to reach for both of them, and then pulled back. He realized he was still reacting to Angel. He couldn't help it. He didn't feel comfortable hugging Todd right now and he hated himself for it.

"Sam," Todd cried. He wanted to be comforted by Sam as well as Viki.

"I'm here Todd. I'm right here. Everything is okay. I'm here with you," Sam assured him. He wouldn't touch him.

Téa and Kevin stood to the side. Téa understood. Nevertheless, she was angry at Sam's reluctance to hold Todd. It was killing her not to be able to take Todd in her own arms or to even let him know she was there. She was afraid of making the situation worse. Kevin understood how Sam felt. He could still feel Angel in back of him and it made him sick. He also hated himself for feeling that way. Just when he was trying to figure out how he felt about Todd, Kevin now had this issue to deal with.

Viki held Todd tightly. She cast Sam a look that said, "Please, don't let this affect how you feel about him."

Sam placed his hand on Todd's shoulder. Todd sat very still. They saw his expression turn to one of panic.

"What'd I do? Oh, God! I did something bad and none of you will tell me! Sam hates me! What'd I do! What'd I do! TELL ME!"

Sam realized Todd immediately felt his reluctance to touch him.

"Sweetheart, you didn't do anything. I swear to you." Viki comforted him.

"Sam's angry because I was mean to Nora. He's gonna leave town. He won't help me get Téa back."

Téa and the rest of them didn't realize what Todd was talking about, but Sam understood. Todd was confusing what had happened when Sam had first gotten to town with now. When Sam first found out what Todd had done to Nora he was furious with him. He told him he was going to go back to Chicago without helping him. The look of hurt, fear and confusion on Todd's face broke Sam's heart. He hated what he was feeling. He was about to take Todd in his arms when Todd squeezed Viki's hand.

"Where's Doctor Hanen! I fee. . . ." He never got to finish his statement. Todd started to seize in Viki's arms.

"Lay him down," Susannah quickly instructed. Viki froze. Susannah, Frank and Connie immediately took him from Viki and laid him on his side.

"Oh God! What's happening to him," Viki cried out. She noticed the pinkish foam spilling from Todd's mouth.

Susannah put her arm around Viki's shoulder. "Viki, shhh. He bit his tongue. That's common. It'll be all right."

Kevin rushed over to his mother and helped her up. "Come on, Mom. Let them take care of him." Kevin winced. He had never seen anyone have a seizure before, neither had Téa.

Téa stood off to the side. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her torso. She was breathing heavily.

Frank gently escorted her to a chair. "He'll be fine," Frank assured her.

Sam looked as if a truck had hit him. He believed he had somehow triggered this seizure by his attitude. Sam couldn't believe the last thing Todd would remember before he went into seizure was his coldness toward him.

Susannah looked around the room. The full impact of this patient's illness on his family was obvious to everyone. The devastation was apparent. Susannah had to make sure to explain to all of them that Todd feeling a seizure coming on was a good thing and so was Brina and Angel coming out. Susannah hoped it meant that Todd was getting closer to dealing with the sexual issues that so greatly contributed to his illness and to his not being able to be the kind of husband to Téa that he so desperately wanted to be. She wanted to tell them all, especially Téa, that they should feel encouraged. Right now all they could do was wait for Todd's latest seizure to stop.

TO BE CONTINUED

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