It is completely silent in Doc Baker's office. Mary and Adam are standing in the corner. Mary is holding onto Adam's waist. Mary has tears falling down her face. I want to walk over to her, but Grace looks so confused sucking on her thumb so I hold onto her tightly and smile at her. She closes her eyes and I look at Ma. Ma is staring at Carrie and rubbing her hand on Carrie's forehead and her cheek.
"Ma, I'm scared." Carrie states.
"I know Carrie. I am too." Ma replies. She's holding back tears. Pa reaches his other hand across Carrie and holds Ma's hand.
"It'll be okay Caroline." Pa says. Ma looks at him. There are tears on the tops of her cheeks.
"I want to go home Ma." Carrie states. Ma looks at Doc Baker.
"Carrie, I don't see any reason why you couldn't go home today with your parents. You won't be alone." Doc Baker replies.
"Doctor Baker, I don't know if we should take her home." Ma says.
"Caroline, Charles; can I talk to you?" Doc Baker asks. Ma looks at me.
"Laura, will you come over and watch Carrie?" Ma asks. I nod at her.
"I don't need Laura to watch me Ma. I'll be okay." Carrie responds.
"Okay, if you're sure." Ma says. She lets go of Carrie's hand and follows Doc Baker. Pa kisses Carrie's forehead and walks up behind Ma. Doc Baker walks over to Adam.
"Adam, I think it would be a good idea if you came with us." Doc Baker says in his soft patient voice. Mary lets go of Adam. Ma takes ahold of Adam's arm.
"I'm just helping you to come over with us Adam." Ma states.
"Oh you're fine Caroline. I've learned your soft footsteps like Mary's, and your voice helps too." Adam replies with a smile. Doc Baker, Adam, Ma, and Pa walk over to Doc Baker's desk. I can hear Doc Baker talking but I can't tell what he is saying. I look over at Mary and see that she's put her hands on the back of the chair in the corner of the room.
"Mary?" I ask. Mary turns to face my direction.
"Yes Laura?" Mary says.
"Can Grace and I come over and be with you?" I question.
"Oh sure! I think it would actually be a good thing." Mary states. I walk across the floor with Grace still asleep in my arms. Mary wraps her arm around my shoulder when I walk over to her. Grace stirs in my arms and sits up. A huge grin appears on Mary's face.
"What does Grace look like now, Laura?" Mary asks me.
"She's got shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes like you. Ma says she's got Grandma's smile." I reply. I take a deep breath. Mary turns as to face me.
"What?" Mary asks me.
"I'm just thinking about Carrie…" I say but then pause. "I mean, what if-" I start to say.
"what if she never gets her sight back?" Mary finishes. I nod. I am leaning up against Mary's shoulder so she can feel my head move. She has me stand up straight and then puts her hand on my face. "Laura, you were the one who convinced me; Carrie is going to be okay. She's our sister and we love her." She states.
"Thanks Mary." Carrie says weakly from the bed. Mary and I both look in her direction.
"You're very welcome Carrie." Mary replies with a smile. Just then Ma, Pa, Doc Baker, and Adam walk back over towards us.
"Mary, your parents and Doc Baker have brought something up to me that I think is a very good idea, but I told them that it was up to both of us to decide." Adam says.
"Well what is it Adam?" Mary asks.
"They thought that while Carrie has impaired vision, no matter how long that may be that she should come be with us at the blind school." Adam states.
"Oh Adam, I think that we could help Carrie out, I really do; but the blind school is in Sleepyeye. I don't know how Ma would feel if Carrie was that far away from her, Pa too. We all need to be there for Carrie." Mary pleads.
"Well if you don't want her to go Mary, we aren't trying to force her on you. We just thought it would be a good idea. We're not saying that this would be a permanent situation, but even if it's just for a few months Carrie will need to learn how to live as a blind young woman since she is for the time being." Doc Baker says.
"Ma?" Mary calls out. Ma walks over towards her.
"Yes Mary?" She replies.
"How do you feel about the idea of Carrie coming to the blind school?"
"Sleepyeye isn't so far away. We'll come see her just as often as we come see you and Adam. I'm not worried to leave Carrie with you and Adam, after all you are her sister and you will be a good teacher for her." Ma says. She pauses for a moment. "Both of you will."
"Well, if Ma has faith in us Adam that she'll be okay with us, than I don't want to doubt that faith. We can put her in Susan's room. Susan gets so lonely and I think that she and Carrie would make good friends." Mary says with a smile.
"Mary?" Carrie asks.
"Yes Carrie." Mary replies.
"I'm scared to go to the blind school. I don't know my way around when I can't see it." Carrie states. Mary feels her way to the bed, and sits in the chair that Pa was sitting in just about 10 minutes before. She takes Carrie's hand in hers and gives it a squeeze.
"Don't be scared Carrie, the blind school isn't that hard to find your way around. I'll help you, and Adam, the other children. Hester Sue; you remember Hester Sue don't you?" Mary asks.
"Yes." Carrie says.
"She'll take special care of you. When I first became a teacher with Adam at the blind school she helped me out a lot and I know that she'll be good to you. She's great with all our students." Mary replies smiling thinking about her good friend back in Sleepyeye.
"Is that who is with the children now?" Ma asks crossing her arms.
"Yes, she assured Adam before we left that she would take care of them until we could return." Mary says. "Oh Laura, thank Almonzo for bringing us back from Sleepyeye the next time you see him."
"I will. I'm not sure when I'll see him again though." I reply.
"I think that is a good thing sometimes Half-Pint." Pa says from across the room.
"Yes sir." I say.
"So, have you decided if Carrie is going to the blind school?" Ma asks.
"Adam." Mary says. I walk away so Adam can walk over to Mary. He wraps his arm around her waist.
"Well I don't see why not. I think it's a great idea." Adam replies.
"Thanks Adam." Mary states laying her head on Adam's shoulder.
"Then it's set, we will pack up Carrie's things and take them with us to Sleepyeye in a few days." Pa says.
"Adam, do you think that Hester Sue can handle the blind school for a few more days?" Ma asks.
"Yes, she can handle the children. She's very good at making sure they do what they are told since she can actually see them." Adam replies with a smile.
"Why Ma?" Mary asks.
"I was thinking that maybe your Pa and I could take you back to the blind school when we take Carrie. I thought that we could get a hold of Hester Sue and tell her about the plans." Ma states.
"Okay. That way she can prepare the other children, and get the bed in Susan's room ready for Carrie." Mary says understanding Ma.
"Good." Ma says. Carrie sits up in the bed. Ma and Pa both rush over to the bed. "Carrie, don't try to get up."
"I just wanted to sit up and ask a question. Can I say something?" Carrie asks.
"Of course." Ma replies.
"Ma, will you be okay if I go to the blind school instead of staying in Walnut Grove? Will I get behind on my school work?" Carrie asks.
"No, I'll make sure that you don't get behind in your work." I reply.
"Thanks Laura." Carrie says to me.