Amelia was walking by her parents' room when she heard her mother coughing. She walked in and saw her mother sitting up. There was a cup on the nightstand but with her bad wrist, Regina couldn't get it. Amelia took the cup and held it up to her mother while placing her other hand on her mother's back. "Thank you," Regina said in a raspy voice. Amelia could tell that her mother didn't know it was her when she saw the look on her face. Amelia placed the cup on the nightstand closer to the bed. She helped her mother to lie back down. Regina winced in pain.

"Do you need a pain pill?"

"Yeah," Regina waited for her daughter to get her pill. Amelia came in and helped her mother take the pill. She left without saying another word.

Amelia went downstairs to find her dad, "dad, mom just had another pain pill."

"Okay," Carl answered, "wait, how do you know that?"

"I heard her coughing when I was walking past your room. I went in and gave her water, but when she laid back down I could tell she was in pain."

Carl was surprised, to say the least, "thank you." A half-hour later, Carl went to check on his wife and found her awake, "do you need anything?"

"Will you tell Amelia to come in here sometime. I want to talk to her."

"Sure, I can do that."

Amelia walked into her parents' room and found her mother asleep. She turned to leave, "hey," Amelia turned at the soft voice and found her mother awake.

"Did I wake you?"

"No, what time is it?" Regina looked at the clock.

"Sorry, it took me a few hours to get up the nerve to come in here."

"I'm sorry for how I reacted in the hospital."

"I deserved it."

"I don't feel good about it."

"I think you don't feel good about what I said." Amelia stood there, thinking, "thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything," Amelia said.

"You know?" Regina asked.

"Dad told me yesterday."

"It's not you're fault."

"That's what dad told me."

"He's right, but don't tell him I said that."

Later that night, Amelia went to talk to her father. "Dad, I was wondering if there was someone I could stay with for a little while. A family member or someone."

"Why?"

"I think it would just be easier for mom if I was gone for a bit."

"I don't know why you think that."

"It would just be for a week or so. I think we all need a break. I would obviously still be grounded."

"I don't think there's anyone around here."

"Look, I found this boarding school in England. I applied and was just accepted. I'd like to go. Maybe it will help everyone reset and start fresh. Plus, maybe everyone can relax without me here."

"When did you apply?"

"A few months ago. I felt I was drowning here and I looked for other options. I decided there was no point in telling you unless I was accepted."

"I'll have to talk to your mother."

"Thank you, that's all I ask."

Carl walked into his bedroom to have a difficult conversation with his wife. "Sweetheart, can we talk?"

"Sure," Regina tried to sit up but needed her husband's help.

Carl sat on the edge of the bed, facing his wife. "Amelia came to me and asked if there was someone she could stay with for a little while. She thinks we need a break."

"A break from her?"

"That's the impression I got."

"What did you say?"

"That I can't think of anyone."

"Why do I get the feeling there's more?"

"A few months ago, she applied to a boarding school in England. She was accepted and really wants to go."

"I don't believe this."

"She said she feels like she's drowning here."

Regina was all too familiar with that feeling. "What do you think?"

"It's a great opportunity for her."

"I want to talk to her first."

Amelia walked into her parents' bedroom, "dad said you wanted to talk to me."

Regina was looking away from her daughter. "All I have ever wanted is my children to be happy. I will stay away so I don't embarrass you, but I don't want you to leave." Regina paused for a moment, "however if leaving will make you happy, then you should go."

Amelia turned to walk away but turned back. "I'm not doing this to hurt you."

"I know," Regina said. "I'm also familiar with the feeling of drowning in this town."

"Thank you for understanding." Amelia walked out of the room and Regina cried.

The day she was scheduled to leave, Amelia walked into her parents' room but found her mother asleep. She had to catch her flight and didn't want to wake her mother. She put her head down and quietly left. Regina opened her eyes once she heard the door shut. She couldn't bear to say good-bye to her daughter, so she pretended to be asleep. Regina began to cry. Something she had been doing a lot of lately.