Perry closed the office for a few days so it could be cleaned up and everyone could regroup. Della walked into the reception area and saw Margaret. The two greeted one another, "so, has Joy said anything to you?" Della asked.
"No," Margaret said, "I told her she could, but I'm giving her space."
"She won't take my calls." Della could tell that Margaret knew why. "What's going on?"
"Huh?" Margaret looked up.
"Why won't Joy take my calls?"
"It's nothing personal. She just wants space from everyone."
"Except Ken," Della pointed out.
"From what I understand, Ken doesn't treat her like a victim. He's there for her when she needs him, and he lets her tell him what she needs. Ken doesn't ask her all day if she's alright or overcrowds her."
"Are you saying that I overcrowd her?" Della asked a bit offended.
"No," Margaret said, "you're just a worried mother. My guess is that Joy doesn't want to see how worried and upset you are. She hates to see you that way and when it involves her, she feels responsible. I'm also guessing that she doesn't want you and Perry handling her with kid gloves. Just give her time. She knows that she can go to you two. I have no doubt that she will when she's ready and it will be long before she comes to me."
"Thank you," Della said, "I'm sorry I snapped."
"You're fine," Margaret said, "it's understandable."
Della gave a grateful smile and went into Perry's office. The blinds and drapes were all still closed. Just then, the power went out, "Margaret," Della called, "are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said, "you?"
"Fine," Della answered. She felt around for the drawer handle and pulled out two flashlights. She used one to find Margaret and gave her the other. Della saw movement behind Margaret. She grabbed the woman's arm and made to leave, but Della was pulled back.
"Della!" Margaret yelled.
"Go get help!" Della yelled in pain.
Margaret ran out of the office and into the hall. She panicked when she ran into someone. "Hey, it's just me," the man said.
Margaret shined a light on the figure, "Paul? You scared me half to death."
"I was walking in when the lights went off."
"Someone's in the office," Margaret said, "he grabbed Della. I think she's hurt."
Paul and Margaret started walking back to the office, "is he still in there?"
"I think so," she said.
"Go find a phone somewhere and call for backup," Paul said.
Margaret ran down the hall to do as Paul said. Paul went into the office and heard a door slam shut. He looked around but there was no one around him. He carefully entered Perry's office and the lights suddenly came on. He saw Della on the floor, "Della!" he yelled and rushed to her side. "What happened?"
"I don't know," she said softly.
"Are you hurt?"
"My back," she said. "I don't think it's just bruised this time."
Margaret ran into the office, "Della, are you alright?"
"I'm alive," the woman said.
"The lights came on when I reached the lobby so I used that phone to call for help."
Ken's voice came from the reception area, "hey, is anyone here?"
"Perry's office," Paul yelled.
"Why's the door open?" Ken asked as he and Joy walked in. "Della!"
"Mom!" Joy ran to her mother. Margaret moved next to Paul so Joy could get to Della. "What happened?"
"I don't know. One minute the lights were out and I was looking for Margaret then someone grabbed me and threw me to the floor."
Joy looked around and saw something on the floor. She stood, walked over to it, and used a tissue to pick it up. Anger rose in her. "I'll be back," she said as she quickly stormed out of the office.