"I need to see the Monsignor" Jude said to Carl.

"He's a busy man, what do you need Jude?"

"Just tell him I need to speak to him."

Carl walked away from Jude to deliver her message to Monsignor Timothy Howard.

In the meantime, Jude was careful to keep the pills she had in her nightgown pocket from being discovered. It wasn't easy, pretending to swallow them in front of the staff when the medications were being distributed, but she felt she had enough to accomplish and put her plan into motion. She wandered over to the jukebox looking over the songs that were listed. If I had a hammer belted out of the speakers. All she needed now was opportunity.

"Jude, you wanted to see me?' She instantly recognized that voice even though her back was facing its owner.

"Monsignor, yes, thank you. I have been thinking and I know how much you've enjoyed my cooking. There isn't a lot for us to do here, while I recuperate, I was hoping to put my culinary skills to some good use. Perhaps I could prepare a meal for us, just for old time sake?"

Timothy just looked at her for a moment. "Jude, perhaps it would be best if you just continued with your treatment. Rest and therapy is the best and you have time baking bread in the pantry."

"That is true Monsignor, but what I really miss is preparing a special meal, especially your favorite, pot roast and those potatoes you really like. I have been in such a mood for it lately that I can't stop thinking about it. Oh please Monsignor, just one time, it would make me feel whole again."

"Well, it has been awhile since I've had the enjoyment of one of your meals and if you think it will make you feel stronger, than I think something might be arranged. I would think you will need some help with all the tasks at hand?'

"Help? I never needed help before?'

"Well, preparing a meal for several people takes a lot of work Jude. You can't possibly feed the entire staff here without some sort of assistance."

"Oh, the meal I was planning was going to be on a much smaller scale. I was just hoping it would be the two of us, a quiet evening. Once the meal is over, you can go on your way and I will go back into my room."

"Jude, I don't know, I don't think that is a good idea. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to dine alone now that you're a patient here."

"Oh Timothy, your not concerned that I would harm you? We have been friends for a long time now. Come on, what could possibly happen here with all the guards around? "

After thinking about it for a brief moment, Timothy figured what could be the harm? There is no where for her to go and she has been a model patient.

"Alright Jude, this Thursday at 7:00 we can have our dinner."

"I…I was hoping Friday would work for you?"

"Jude, I really don't understand what difference the day makes to you? It's not like you are going out anywhere?"

"I...I know, its just Friday's were always my favorite day of the week to cook"

"Alright, Friday it is, but it will have to be at 6:00 then as I have other places I will need to visit that evening."

Timothy turned away from her and exited the room. She watched him walk out, all the time thinking if all goes as planned, he won't be going anywhere else that night.

Finally Friday evening arrived and the scent that filled the room was delightful. Jude was an excellent cook and the aroma of the roast and potatoes baking were even making her own mouth water. She was able to sneak off into her old office and look behind the bureau all the way in the back. Yes, it was still there, a bottle of Cognac that she hid. She couldn't believe it was never discovered. She placed the bottle under her robe and went into the bathroom. After she closed and locked the door, she carefully opened the bottle. She was so tempted to take a drink, just a little taste, but no, she had to keep her wits about her and use this liquor for other purposes. Lifting a small square piece of foil from her pocket, she unwrapped it and poured the powdery contents into the bottle. She could see the white particles slowly drifting down through the liquor, just hoping that they would completely dissolve. She replaced the lid on the bottle and managed to get it back into the kitchen. She was surprised that no one was checking up on her, they allowed her this much freedom. She figured maybe the Monsignor told them to leave her be for the day?

It was 7:20 and she was anxiously waiting for the Monsignor to arrive. He usually was very punctual and she became a bit worried that he wasn't going to show up. Finally she could hear footsteps coming down the hall and there he was, in the flesh, Timothy Howard looking as handsome as ever. She hated the fact that he looked so good to her.

"Good evening Monsignor! I was hoping you didn't forget about our dinner?"

"Oh no Jude, I actually have to admit I have been looking forward to this all week. I haven't had a good home cooked meal in a long time. I am sorry for being a bit late but sometimes business gets in the way."

Jude looked down and could see in his left hand he had a bottle of red wine. He could tell by her expression that she wasn't expecting this.

"I thought I would bring the wine for our meal. I guess I wasn't thinking that perhaps you can't really drink wine considering…"

"It's ok, just because I can't doesn't mean you can't. In fact, I wanted it to be a surprise but I remembered that I have a bottle of Cognac that I had stored away in my office."

She pointed to the bottle sitting on the table.

"Where was that at?"

"I can't tell you that", she said with a sly smile. "I can't give away all my secrets but I will tell you that this is the last bottle around that I know of."

Timothy looked at the bottle for a moment and she could tell he was not pleased that she was so easily able to hide alcohol from everyone. The damage was done and the aroma of the meal made his stomach growl. He made a mental note to have her former office searched again Monday morning.

He sat down at the table while Jude fixed a plate for him. He couldn't wait to taste the food, it smelled and looked so good. Of course, once he took his first bite he was not disappointed. She joined him at the table, quietly eating off her own plate.

"Would you care for a drink Monsignor?"