I flew on the red-eye and arrived in Houston at daybreak on Saturday. It was not as comfortable as it had been when Amy and I flew next to each other, but somehow, I managed to sleep through the whole flight.

During these past two weeks, Mum and Missy had been sending me updates on Meemaw's progresses and recovery. Although she still could not form full sentences and had articulation problems, at least she could be understood. Amy had forwarded me her paper on aphasia and several other papers about the recovery process for the patients and how families could help their dear ones through that process. I had sent copies to everyone in the family, underlining the most important parts.

Amy had kept in touch with Dr Steele, so we also had the speech therapist's point of to him, Meemaw had been making encouraging progress these past 2 weeks: first, at the hospital, for ten days he had been seeing her every day. And a physiotherapist came twice a day to help her move her limbs; Although Meemaw was not suffering from hemiplegia, she had weaknesses in both her right leg and arm, so she needed a few sessions to get back to normal. And finally last Wednesday, Meemaw had been allowed to go back home as her condition no longer required full-time monitoring.

For at least one month after she returned home, she was to see a speech therapist, recommended by Dr Steele, twice a week, and a physio three times a week. Then her doctor and Dr Steele would assess the progress, and adapt the therapy specifically to her. I knew Meemaw could not afford paying for all the specialists, and neither could Mum or my siblings, so I offered to pay all the bills. I could afford it; I don't make that much money at Caltech, but my needs are not excessive, so I managed to save several thousand dollars over the years. And I'd rather have that money used for Meemaw. Only Amy and Mum knew about it. I asked Mum not to tell Meemaw or my siblings about the cost of all this, and if needed, to lie about it. They all thought it was covered by Meemaw's insurance.

I arrived in Texas very early in the morning, but Mum was there to pick me up. She thanked me for coming. She looked a bit worried about Meemaw's condition.

"How is she doing, Mum?" I asked straight away.

"Well, she seems to be tired all the time and sleeps a lot. But I talked to Amy about it and she explained to me it was natural because of all the efforts she has been making to speak."

"Yes I know, Amy told me so as well."

"But she seems to be speaking even less than before since she came back home. It is like she is ashamed or discouraged, Shelly, I don't know. We all follow Amy's recommendations, we try not to push her and we make her feel we are all there for her. But it is like she is always sad." Mum's tone of voice was full of concern "I think what is the most difficult for her is not being able to read properly. She seems to understand everything we say, and she can speak a little better every day but she still cannot read or write. Do you remember Shelly how many books a week she used to read?"

"How could I forget? She could read so fast, and she really loved it. I am not surprised she misses it that much." I said "Mum, Amy and I talked about it. She got an idea and I think Meemaw will love it."

"What is it Shelly?"

I explained our idea and she agreed that Meemaw would like it a lot. It was still quite early when we arrived home, around 7am, and Mum said Meemaw would not be awake before another hour or so. So we stayed together in the kitchen and had breakfast together. We talked some more about Meemaw, then about my work, my friends, and Amy.

Then I paused for a moment before asking "What about you Mum? How are you doing?" Amy had told me that Mum sounded very tired the last time she talked to her and asked me to check if she was alright.

"Oh I'm fine Shelly-bean, thank you."

"Are you sure? I know you never complain about anything Mum, but it must have been tough for you as well."

"Well, Shelly, I had Missy and George with me here to help me with Mother, and you of course, and Amy. I was not alone. But thank you for asking baby, I really appreciate it." And she grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight.

When it was 8.30am, Mum told me that Meemaw was probably awake by now, so I decided to walk to her house. Mum said she'd come in a half hour with Meemaw's food. Meemaw lives in a one storey ranch house a block away from Mother. The doctor said that she could stay in her own house for the time being, except if we realized it was too difficult for her, or for Mum. Mum was able to be there most of the time when she was not at work, and when she was, a neighbor or one of my siblings would go and make sure Meemaw was alright. I figured that at some point, we'd have to talk about the situation; Amy had warned me that most aphasiacs tried to live on their own at the beginning but soon had to consider other solutions.

I knocked three times on the door, and got inside. I walked to Meemaw's room and there she was, awake and looking at me with a grin on her face.

"Good morning Meemaw!" I simply said.

"Moonpie!" she replied. I got closer to her and kissed her on the cheek, helping her straighten up.

"Meemaw, you look great" she indeed looked a bit better than two weeks ago at the hospital.

"Moonpie, stick, kitchen" she said, showing me the walking stick next to her bed. I immediately gave it to her. She then held it in her right hand, got up with difficulties, despite my arm that she grabbed with her left hand, and walked to the kitchen. I helped her sit on a chair and stood there, opposite her.

"Do you want something to drink Meemaw? Mum said she'd come in twenty minutes with your breakfast, but we can drink some tea in the meantime if you want."

"Yes" she said. I started boiling the water for the two of us.

"Meemaw, I will be here with you for the whole weekend, I am so glad. Amy could not come but she told me to say hi from her."

"Amy, thanks, hello".

"I will tell her you said hello. She promised we would come back soon, with me." I sat down for a minute "Meemaw, Amy and I have a present for you. Actually two presents, one from each of us."

"Present?" Meemaw said with a smile.

"Yes. Mum told me that you cannot read yet and that you really miss it. I know how much it is important for you." I looked at her and saw sadness in her eyes "So both Amy and I read a book out loud and recorded it on a CD for you. Amy chose Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and I chose 1984 by George Orwell. I know you like both, I remember you told me so once. And here is a CD player to listen to it."

"Moonpie, thanks" she had tears in her eyes. I was Amy's idea. It took us a few hours to record it, a little every evening, individually, but I thought it was just such wonderful idea.

"Meemaw, with Amy we have decided we would try to record at least one book every other week for you. We have drawn a list of books you might like us to read, but if you know what you want, just let us know. What do you think?"

"Good. Moonpie." She held my hand very tight.

"I'm glad you like it Meemaw."

Mum arrived with Meemaw's breakfast a few minutes later. After breakfast, the three of us moved to the living room, and I read her one of her books. Another Jane Austen book called Sense and Sensibility. Once again, not my choice... I definitely preferred reading 1984! Missy came for lunch, and in the afternoon we both played chess with Meemaw, in turns, and then I did some more reading; we all left when Meemaw seemed too tired.

All day long, Amy and I had been texting and even though her messages were not alarming_ it was all "Glad Meemaw liked her present. Miss you Sheldon." Or "Things are fine, Sheldon. But I wish I were in Texas with you."_I had a strange feeling about what was going on there. We could not skype that night as Amy went out late with her family and came back after 10pm, which meant midnight in Houston. But on Sunday morning, I skyped her when I was with Meemaw. It did not last long, just the time for Amy to say a few words to Meemaw and for Meemaw to thank her for the present. The rest of the day was again chess games and readings with Meemaw, Mum and George.

Before leaving, I really wanted to talk to her about something that Amy insisted on: she told me not to let Meemaw withdraw into her shell as she had gradually been doing these past days. For years, ever since Pop-Pop died, Meemaw used to go every day to a senior center. She had friends there. She played games, watched tv and movies. And this week she refused to go, or to let her friends come and visit her. So as I had just finished on chapter of her book, I said I would stop for the day, and decided to talk to her about it.

"Meemaw" I asked "Mum told me you no longer want to go to the senior center. Why?"

She did not reply, and avoided my look.

"I don't understand. You were always so enthusiastic about going there. You can meet your friends. You can play games. Meemaw, it is important that you see people."

She simply replied "Mary, Missy, Steve, George, you, Amy."

"Meemaw, it is not enough. You have many friends. They would like to see you. They can help you. You should not stay here all the time. We could buy a wheelchair for you, so you can move by yourself and go there, what do you think?"

She shook her head.

"Meemaw, please. Think about it. For me. I love you Meemaw, I want you to enjoy yourself. I want you to see your friends and keep living, like before." I said the last words with tears in my eyes.

She was also crying. She made no promises but at least she listened to me.

"Meemaw, I have to go now. But I will be back soon, with Amy. And we will send you CD's I promise."

"Moonpie, piano." showing me the piano behind me in the living room.

I was surprised by that request. But I had always loved playing the piano for Meemaw. She was the one who taught me when I was a toddler "Alright, if you want, I will play the piano for you before leaving. But don't be too hard on me, I haven't played for a long time, Meemaw." And I started playing for her some piece by Bach, her favorite. I kissed her goodbye and promised I'd be back very soon. Then I left with Mum who drove me to the airport.

I was glad I came, but Mum was right about Meemaw, there was obviously something going wrong, and she did not want to talk about it. I'll have to talk about it to Amy when I get back home. She will probably know what to do.

When I landed in LAX, Amy was there, in the arrival area, waiting for me. As soon as I saw her, I understood something was wrong; she looked both exhausted and sad. I did not say anything about it at first. I simply opened my arms and held her close. She squeezed so tightly I thought I would suffocate. She pulled away, grabbed my hand and we walked to the car hand in hand, in silence.

It was past 10pm when we arrived at my place. I told Amy to sit down on the couch and relax a little. Then after I carried both her bag and mine to our respective rooms, I went to the kitchen to prepare some chamomile tea for the two of us. When I came back with both our mugs, I sat on my spot next to her and pulled her close. She hugged me tightly as she rested her head in my neck and began sobbing.

"Amy, what is going on?" I was taken aback by her reaction.

"Oh Sheldon! I am so glad you are back. Please hold me close."

I drew her closer "Sure, Amy, come here." I gently kissed her forehead and her temples. "Do you want to tell me what is going on?" No reply "Is it your mother? What happened?"

She raised her head up "Nothing really." She mumbled "I mean nothing more than usual. I just feel so stupid reacting like that. I'm tired that's all."

"You are not stupid Amy. I don't want you to say things like that, ever" I said, and she buried her head back against my neck. I put my hand in her hair and stroke it softly. I placed my second hand on hers, intertwining our fingers.

We stayed like that for quite some time. I slowly felt her relax in my arms.

"Amy, if you are feeling better, maybe we should go to bed now. It is late and we are working tomorrow."

"Alright" she said as she got up. She seemed a bit better but still pretty tired. Her movements were very hesitant as she walked towards the hallway. She looked so frail tonight.

I opened the door of Leonard's room. "Amy, I left some towels by your bed. Help yourself. You can use the bathroom first."

"Thank you Sheldon." She said with a strangled voice.

As she entered the bathroom, I went to my room, leaving the door open and I sat on my bed.I just could not stand seeing her like that. I wondered what had happened with her family. Why does she always seem so sad after she sees them, or talk to them on the phone?When she got out of the bathroom in her nightgown, I could see was still crying. She stayed there by the doorframe and said "Goodnight Sheldon."And walked towards Leonard's room.

"Amy, wait a second. Come here, please." I stood up and walked towards her. I took her hand in mine and led her inside my room. We both sat on the edge of the bed.

"Amy, please don't cry. I just can't stand it when you cry. Were they mean with you?" she lowered her head as I was speaking. I put my hand below her chin and lifted it up, so she was forced to look at me in the eyes "Amy, please never forget you are wonderful and I love you. Just don't listen to what other people say. They don't know you like I do. And they don't understand you like I do."

"Thank you so much Sheldon. I'm sorry for reacting like that. That's ridiculous."

I leant over and kissed her tenderly. Then I pulled away and asked her "Amy, would you like to stay here with me tonight, in my bed? Would it make you feel better?"

She looked puzzled "I don't know Sheldon. I'd love that, but you don't have to…"

"Amy, I don't like seeing you in such a state. So please stay here. Just make yourself comfortable while I am in the bathroom. I will be back in a minute."

When I came back from the bathroom in my pajamas, Amy was in bed, under the covers. As I slipped between the sheets next to her, Amy came closer and snuggled up to me. I put both my arms around her and drew her to me. She nestled her head against my neck and put her hands on my waist. We both fell asleep in each other's arms, exhausted.