"Danny," I heard Mom say, "I want her on medication for it. I'm taking her to the doctor tomorrow and she and I are both getting the medication for it."

"Linda, she doesn't want to be put on any more medication," Dad said, "She already has to take medication for her diabetes and for her stomach. She doesn't want anymore meds."

"Danny, I only want what's best for our daughter," Mom said. That's when I decided to walk downstairs.

"Josie, can you please tell your mother what you told me," Dad commanded.

"I don't want any medicine to treat my alleged PTSD," I said bluntly.

"Josie, you're getting the medication for it whether you like it or not," Mom said.

"Then if you get it for me, I won't take it," I said in a defensive tone.

"Don't you raise your voice at your mother, Joselle," Dad said.

"You're getting the medication and that's final," Mom said, "Your father and I both agree that you need it."

"No," I yelled, "I don't want PTSD meds! You can't force me to take any."

"Joselle Augustine Reagan," Mom yelled, "Lower your tone with me this instant."

"NO,"I shrieked, "I WILL NOT TAKE ANYMORE DAMN MEDICATION! I HATE BOTH OF YOU!" I ran upstairs to my room. I knew I was in deep trouble for yelling and for swearing. I instantly regretted yelling at Mom and Dad and telling them that I hated them. I started crying when Mom walked in.

"Josie," Mom said softly. I got up from my bed and hugged her tightly.

"Mom, I'm so sorry," I said with tears falling out of my eyes, "I didn't mean anything. If I could take it back I would."

"I know you didn't mean it, Joselle," Mom said, "I'm upset at you for swearing at us."

"I didn't mean to," I said, "It was all in the heat of the moment. I'm so sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you, baby," Mom said, "Now come on and help me make dinner. We're having steak tonight."

"Wait," I said, "I don't get a punishment?"

"Your punishment is cooking the steak and making the potatoes," Mom laughed, "I hate to admit it, but you're better than me at cooking steak."

Everything slowly started getting better until around Thanksgiving. That day was another one of the scariest days of my life.

Mom, Pop, and I were all in the kitchen trying to make a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

"Linda, will you put this platter on the counter, please," Pop asked as he handed Mom his turkey platter.

"Oh, God not that thing again," I said.

"That thing was a gift to this family from Eleanor Roosevelt," Pop said.

"A gift that you found at a yard sale," Mom said as she and I laughed. I started helping Mom with the potatoes.

"Don't go easy on the butter," Pop said pointing to the bowl of potatoes.

"Isn't that on the list of things you shouldn't eat," Mom asked. Not even two minutes later, Pop was groaning in pain.

"Oh, my God, Pop," I yelled, "Are you okay?"

"Josie, grab your phone and call an ambulance," Mom commanded as she sat beside Pop. I obeyed and ran to get my phone upstairs in the spare bedroom as I rubbed potatoes on my apron. After I called for the ambulance, I called Aunt Erin and Nicky. I dialed Aunt Erin's cell number in my phone. After about fifteen seconds of ringing, Aunt Erin picked up the phone.

"Josie, what's going on," Aunt Erin asked.

"It's about Pop," I said, "Meet us at the hospital."

"Is he okay," Aunt Erin asked.

"No," I answered, "I-I don't know. Please call Uncle Jamie. Mom and I will call Dad and Grandpa. Bring Nicky and the boys with you." I started hyperventilating and I felt my heart beating out of my chest. A feeling of dizziness hit me as I made my way to the steps. The moment I started taking my first step downstairs, I collapsed and fell down the entire flight of steps. The last thing I heard was Mom screaming my name before I passed out.

I woke up in the hospital hooked up to oxygen and a heart monitor. I looked over and saw Pop in the bed next to mine.

"What happened," I asked.

"Well, your blood sugar dropped to a level that could've killed you," Mom started, "You had too much insulin in your body. That's part of the reason you passed out. They also said that you had a panic attack which stressed your heart and made you go into ventricular fibrillation. You almost went into cardiac arrest. And you also broke an ankle from falling down the stairs."

"As long as you're okay, that's all that matters to your mother and I," Dad said, "They told us that you'll be getting surgery tomorrow to fix your ankle."

"Oh, lovely," I muttered, "Is Pop okay?" No one said a word and the only thing you could hear were the two heart monitors beeping.

"They believe he had a heart attack," Grandpa said, breaking the silence, "He had his surgery done while you were still unconscious."

"They're moving you into your own room tonight," Mom said, "I'm going to go home and make some dinner for you and Pop."

"Mom, can you bring me cereal or Taco Bell or something, please," I asked. Mom smiled and said yes and she walked out of the room with the rest of the family. I looked over at Pop. He looked so weak and fragile laying in that hospital bed.

"Everything will get better, Pop," I said, "I love you so much. We'll be okay."

"I love you too, Joselle," Pop said looking over at me. The nurses came in and moved me right across the hallway. About ten minutes later, Mom came into my room with a Taco Bell bag and a huge duffelbag.

"I got you your favorite," Mom said as she opened the bag, "There are three Cool Ranch flavored tacos in there for you, and there are three for me."

"Have you ever even eaten these before," I laughed.

"No," Mom smiled, "But I'm about to." Mom pulled the chair over.

"Mom, sit up here with me," I said as I moved over.

"Josie, I'm prefectly fine here," Mom said.

"I don't care, sit up here with your favorite daughter," I said with a half-smile. Mom laughed as she crawled into the bed. I handed mom a pillow and some of the blanket.

"So what's up with the duffelbag," I asked.

"Well, since I figured you would be here for a couple of days, I thought it'd be a nice gesture to bring some things for you," Mom said as she opened the bag, "I brought your pillows, all of your blankets, some pajamas, day clothes, and a set of your sheets."

"You're the best," I said, "Where are your clothes?"

"They're all at the house," Mom said with a confused tone.

"You're just gonna leave your favorite daughter here, in the hospital alone," I asked, "Wow. You really do hate me."

"You want me to stay here," Mom asked, "Girl, you are something else."

"We're pretty much the same size in clothing," I said, "You can borrow my clothes." Mom rolled her eyes and went into the bathroom to change. When she walked out, she helped me out of the hospital gown and into my pajamas.

"Thank God you're not on any IVs," Mom said as she took a sigh of relief, "I told them to give you pills for the pain killers. Now, lets eat those tacos."

"I'm starving," I said with a laugh.

"Would you like to say grace," Mom asked.

"Why don't we both say it together," I returned. Mom nodded. I took hold of her hand.

"Bless us, O Lord, these Thy gifts which we are about to recieve from Thy Bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen," We both said in perfect unison. We ate our tacos and snuggled together for a little bit. Mom put one arm around my back and her other arm around my stomach.

"You know you're my favorite daughter, right," Mom asked.

"Well I'm your only daughter," I said as I giggled, "I have no choice but to be your favorite daughter." I rested my head on Mom's chest as Mom kissed my forehead and leaned her head to rest against mine.

"I love you, Mommy," I whispered.

"I love you more, baby," Mom whispered back.

"I love you the most," I responded as I started drifting off to sleep.

"I loved you first," Mom said followed by a soft chuckle. We fell asleep in each others' arms that night. They prepped me for surgery at 6:45 the next morning and wheeled me in the operating room at 7:00. Pop's surgery was last night. Mom said the doctor came out at about 9:30 saying that I needed a screw and two metal plates put in. I was barely awake from the anesthetic when Mom and Dad walked into the recovery room.

"Hey, sweetheart," Mom said as she held my good hand, "How are you feeling."

"Where the hell am I," I asked. I was completely out of it. Dad looked mad because I swore again.

"Danny, don't say anything," Mom said, "The anesthesia is wearing off. Just let it take its course."

"Did Dad testify against Raymundo Salazar yet," I asked.

"Josie, that was months ago," Dad said.

"Did I tell you about the time I skipped a grade," I asked still feeling loopy.

"Josie, baby," Mom started, "Why don't you just stop talking and let the anesthetic wear off?" It took a couple of hours for the drugs to wear off. I made them take out the IV because I didn't need it. Grandpa came into my room at about 6:00 that evening with Pop.

"Grab your crutches or a wheelchair," Grandpa said, "I'm taking you and Pop to get turkey sandwiches." I gagged. Hospital food is nasty. I grabbed my crutches and made my way behind Grandpa down to the cafeteria.

"Happy Thanksgiving," I heard everyone yell in unison. There was an empty spot at the head of the table for Pop, and another empty spot between Mom and Dad for me.

"This is a lovely surprise," I said with a smile on my face, "I do apologize for my horrific appearance and if it scares any of you." I was still wearing my tye-dye fleece pants and one of Dad's old t-shirts. My hair was a complete mess, too.

"Come on, stop it, Joselle," Dad said, "You look beautiful, just like you always do."

"Why don't we all say grace," Grandpa asked, "Joselle, Linda, would you two like to lead us in saying grace," Grandpa asked. I looked at Mom and smiled as I grabbed hold of her soft hand. I grabbed Dad's hand as well, and eventually everyone was holding hands. Mom and I said grace together, and we each stated what we were thankful for. Everyone was thankful that Pop and I were okay, and that they were thankful Mom and I were there with Pop, but when Pop's turn rolled around, he said something completely different.

"Not only am I thankful for Joselle and I being okay," Pop started, "And that Joselle and Linda were both there to save my life, but I am also thankful that you all decided to come here to have Thanksgiving dinner here at the hospital."

"Amen to that, Pop," I said with a huge smile. Mom was next up. She was thankful that the entire family could be together, even if it wasn't at Grandpa's, and then it was my turn.

"Well, everyone including Pop took the words straight out of my mouth," I stated as everyone, including Mom, looked at me, "Go ahead and start digging in while I say this. But I want to say that I'm thankful for a specific person sitting at this table. And this person is the no doubt the sweetest woman ever, and she will bend over backwards for all three of her babies. Yes, Mom, this goes out to you, because you are definitely the most amazing woman I know. Not only did she bring Taco Bell for both of us the night Pop and I were sent here, but she brought me changes of clothes and my sheets and blankets. Don't let me forget that she stayed right next to me in that hospital bed the entire night. Mom, I couldn't ask for a better mother. You have the biggest heart I've ever seen, and words can't describe how much I love you. I'm more than thankful I am that God chose you to be my mother. " Mom started tearing upas she looked at me amd smiled.

"Joselle, that was beautiful," Mom said as she wiped the tears away.

"Amen, Linda," Uncle Jamie said. Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. I got to go home that night, as well. Everything was okay until what happened as we drove home on a Sunday night a week after Christmas.