When I got to Alice‘s house I couldn’t believe how tired I was. That had been a pretty incredible experience.

When we arrived, Jeri clammed up and wouldn’t speak with her parents. Her mother kept starring, her father pacing. Jeri looked like she was trying to make herself invisible, drawing up her legs under her, and burying her face under her hands.

Uncomfortable doesn’t begin to describe the situation.

Finally, I did a quick assessment of personalities, and decided that Jeri’s father, although the pacer, was the more likely to be the level-headed one. I took him aside and went over the afternoon’s events.

While the man looked, understandably, upset, he didn’t look angry. It’s possible that her mother would have had the same reaction but I felt that at least one of them would be the calm, rational one that Jeri needed at this point.

Jeri clung to me when I gave her a goodbye hug, but I knew that this was for the best. It was not a time for me to be there with her, but for her parents. Her father walked me to the door, thanking me for delivering her home safely.

How often does Tina have to deal with something like this?

I was tempted to call Tina and discuss things, but I felt like I needed to clear the air with Jess, first. She needed to understand that she had a responsibility to herself, and to her mother, to follow the rules that were in place.

The thought of Tina sitting through a discussion like the one Jeri’s having with Jess is enough to make me ill. Not that I don’t want Jess to have a family of her own someday. There’s not a thing that would make me happier. I just know that now is not the time to face such realities.

Not that my current prospect, facing Jess, sounds any better. If she’s not going to be friendly, that’s fine. I just hope she’ll be manageable for our next two days, and not pull another disappearing act.

When I arrived at Alice‘s, Jess was supposedly watching TV with Frank, but I think she was snoozing, actually. It had to be a draining day for her, as well, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

“How’s it going, mom?” Alice teased.

As much as Alice means well, there were at times reasons why I was glad to have a coast to myself. “Has she given you any trouble?”

“She never gives me trouble.” Alice‘s emphasis of the first-person pronoun was not lost.

Spending the time I didn’t with my family, yes, Alice, rub it in. “I guess you’re just lucky. Did you eat?” It was now past 8 p.m. I often find myself eating this late or later when I’m on my usual schedule. This week has been anything but usual.

“We had salads. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’ll be hungry again.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me, either.” I don’t think I ate like that child does when I was a teen, but I don’t see where she puts it.

“You know, Frank can still lift her. He can just dump her in the car for you.”

“Why not the trunk?”

“Nah, they come with those little escape hatch thingies.”

“Alice, I was teasing. I know she’s beat. I’m beat. It was a draining day. But I want to try to keep her on a somewhat normal schedule.”

“You want me to” Alice motioned towards the rec room.

I shook my head. No. I’m not shirking anything anymore just because she might possibly get mad about it.

Fortunately, she awoke more groggy than mad. Seeing the way she was sleeping, limbs sprawled every which way, I think I did her a favor by waking her up. “Jess, c’mon, we’re going home.”

I rather like her like this. She was both subdued and responsive, following me, and giving a half-hearted wave to Alice and Frank as she plodded out of the house.

“Hungry?” I asked once we started driving.

She shook her head no, and curled backup on the seat.

I could really get to like her like this.

Of course, I should have known this was just the calm. The storm was yet to come.

(tbc?)