Mary comes home at four o' clock to find Matt at the refrigerator.

"Hey."

Mary let's out a happy sigh. "Hi."

"Where have you been?" Matt asks her, not bothering to turn around.

"Over at Wilson's."

Matt finally found something he would like to eat, and turns to face his oldest sister. He cocks his head and stares at her strangely.

"What happened to you?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you smiling?"

Mary realizes that she is still in a daze from the events of the day, plus Wilson's amazing good-bye kiss. She attempts to stop smiling, but doesn't have much luck.

"Oh no. You didn't. Please tell me you didn't."

"Didn't what?"

"Don't play dumb with me. I've lived in an apartment off campus for 2 years now. It's practically like a dorm. Believe me, I know that look."

"What look exactly are you talking about?"

"The 'morning after' look."

Mary realizes what Matt is saying. She was horrified to realize that you can pretty much tell how she spent her day by looking at her face.

"Its none of your business how I spent my day."

She runs upstairs to her room and slams the door. Matt follows her, and yells through the entrance. Even though she is furious at him, she still can't stop smiling.

"What did you do today?"

"Who are you trying to be, Mom and Dad? Its none of your business what I did. I'm an adult now, I can do what I want."

"Did you do something stupid?"

"Not in my opinion."

"What's the supposed to mean?"

"It means leave me alone!"

Matt becomes frustrated and walks away. Lucy comes upstairs to see what all the yelling is about. She enters the room to see Mary on her bed, with a big grin plastered on her face.

"Why is Matt yelling at you?"

"Because he insists on butting into my life."

"Oh. And why are you smiling?"

"You sound just like Matt. He thinks something's up just because I'm happy."

"I think something's up because you can't stop smiling. Everything's OK with you and Wilson, right?"

"Better than OK."

"See, now I know something's up. What happened?"

"Nothing happened."

"Ok, then what did you do?"

"Why do you guys always think I did something?"

"So you did do something. Tell me."

"No."

"Fine, what did you, Wilson, and Billy do today?"

"Well actually, Billy took a nap."

Lucy analyses the information that has been given to her. She sits down on the bed next to her sister, and looks at her with disgust.

"I can't believe you. After everything you've been through, plus everything Mom and Dad told us. How could you do something like that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not stupid you know. We've had sex talks since we were nine years old for a reason."

"Fine, I'll tell you if you promise not to say anything, ever, to anyone."

"OK."

"Wilson and I didn't actually have sex, really, we just-"

"Just what?"

"Well, we kind of did everything but, sort of."

"Wow."

There is a strange pause.

"That's it? That's all your going to say?"

"Though I don't agree completely with what you did, I don't know you're reasoning behind it. Nor am I in any position to judge you, so I'm not going to."

Mary hugs her sister, who is now seventeen years old. "Thanks Luce. I knew I could always count on you."

"You can, but-"

Mary sighs, "Yes?"

"If you want to talk to me about it, like, tell me everything that happened and what it was like, I'd be glad to listen."

"Um, its kind of personal. But I guess you could ask me a couple of questions if you want to."

"Do you feel like you did the wrong thing?"

"No, not at all."

"Did he make you, or did you make him?"

"I made him, then I stopped it."

"Why?"

"That's a long story, I really don't want to go into it."

"Ok. Are you going to tell Mom and Dad?"

"No. Why should I?"

"I don't know. I just thought you might."

"Well I'm not, and you're not going to either."

"Don't worry, I won't. One more question for right now, are you happy?"

"Very happy. I've never felt like this, I can't describe it. I'm on cloud nine."

"Good. I'm really happy for you Mary. Its nice to see you happy again."

"Oh, that reminds me, I'll be right back."

Mary walks down the stairs to fine her mother and father in the kitchen, talking.

"Mom, I just wanted to tell you that I'm going out with Wilson Friday, so don't make any plans for me."

"OK, but why would I make any plans for you?"

"I just meant don't plan any big talks with me or anything like that."

"Why not? I already was planning on talking with you. Friday's an important day for you." Eric interrupts.

"I know. That's why Wilson's taking me out, so I won't just sit around all day reliving it."

"Fine then. We'll talk in the morning."

"Fine." Mary turns to walk up the stairs, but her mother calls after her.

"How was your day with Wilson?"

"Good."

"What did you guys do?"

"We talked and we made lunch for Billy."

Eric sighs. "I'll just cut right to the chase. Matt said that something was up when you came home. Is everything all right?"

"Yeah."

"Your not planning on breaking up with Wilson, are you?"

"No, never."

Her father is astonished by her answer. "Never?"

"Never, Dad. I need him."

"Its not good to need somebody."

Mary rolls her eyes. 'Mom, can I talk to you alone?"

"Sure." Eric reluctantly leaves the room, and Mary takes his seat.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, uh, I don't really want to talk, more like tell you something. Just so that you'll know, so you and Dad won't worry about me or anything."

"Ok."

"The only reason I told Dad I needed Wilson is because I didn't want to tell him the truth."

"Which is?"

"I'm in love with Wilson."

A smile comes across Annie's face. "I'm happy for you Mare. Did you tell Wilson yet? Is that why you're going out Friday, to tell him?"

"I've told him already, actually I told him a long time ago. And he's said it back."

"My little girl. You're growing up so fast."

"But, uh, I did want to ask you something."

"Okay."

"Where does it go from here?"

"Well, um, that depends. That's something you have to talk with him about, though."

"All right."

"What do you have in mind though?" Annie asks, slightly concerned.

"Nothing. I want everything to stay like it is. I'm comfortable with everything, and I like it like this."

"Then tell him that."

"Okay, thanks Mom."

******

Mary awakens Friday morning to a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach. It is August 14, the six months anniversary of the day Robbie raped her. The events of that day all seem like a blur to her, but surprisingly it is clear in her dreams. She is happy that her thoughts did not turn into another nightmare. All she wants to do is roll over and wait for the day to be over; when she remembers that she is going out with Wilson tonight to talk. She has been thinking about some stuff she wanted to go over with him for a couple of days now, and she is looking forward to their little discussion. Mary can smell breakfast. She takes a deeper whiff and recognizes the aroma- pancakes. She drags herself out of bed and goes downstairs to get some food, although she really doesn't feel much like eating.

When she arrives downstairs, the small talk of the morning stops. Everyone turns and looks at her, then back at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.

"What?"

"Oh, um, I'm sorry honey. Good morning. How did you sleep?" Annie asks her.

"Fine."

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"So, um…"

"Look, I'm fine really. But I don't want to spend all day talking about it. I'm not as bad as I thought I would be. Treating me differently isn't helping though, so please just try and act normal."

"Okay. But, your father wanted to talk to you. He's in his office waiting."

Mary gets up without an argument and walks out of the kitchen. She knocks gently on the door, and then walks in.

"Mom said you wanted to talk to me."

Eric closes his laptop and takes off his bifocals. "Yes, I did. Why don't you sit down?" Mary does as she is told. "I just wanted you to know that if you felt like talking about it, I'm here for you. I know I'm probably the last person you would go to with your problems about this, but I just wanted to let you know that you could come to me if you wanted."

"Ok, thanks Dad. But like I just told everyone else, I'm OK. And I'm not just saying that so you'll get off my back, either. I thought it would be a lot tougher than this. I was envisioning not being able to get out of bed all-day and moping around the house when I eventually got up, but I'm downstairs with a spring in my step. I look at that as a big accomplishment."

"So do I. I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks."

"Are you sure you're all right though? I just don't want you to be depressed. You're my daughter, and when you're in pain so am I."

"I'm not in pain. You have nothing to worry about, I'll be all right."

Mary leaves, and heads back for the kitchen. She remembers when she tried to go into the kitchen the last time, and Robbie showed up at her doorstep. Suddenly, she lost her appetite. She decides to instead go back to bed. She crawls back under the covers and pulls her pastel comforter up to her neck. Even though it is 95 degrees outside, she has a slight chill. Mary closes her eyes and tries to clear her mind of all thoughts. While trying to do that, she has an idea. She rolls over and reaches for her diary. She writes a little bit, but stops mid-entry and flips back to the first page. She reads the inspirational words that Wilson wrote to her when he gave her the gift, and begins to sob. Ruthie walk through the door, and sees Mary crying. Mary gets up and runs into the bathroom and closes the door, taking the diary with her. Ruthie is confused, but decides she should tell her parents. She runs down the stairs and tells her mother what she saw. Annie comes running up, and drags Lucy with her.

"Mary, are you OK?"

All Mary can do is sob. That's the problem with my family. No one ever gets a moment of peace. I can't even cry by myself.

"OK Mary, I'll leave you alone." Annie walks down the stairs, and Lucy sits on the floor against the door. After a couple of minutes she knocks.

"Its Lucy. Can I come in?"

"Its open."

Lucy opens the door and walks into the small bathroom to find Mary sitting on the floor. "Did you lock the door?"

"No."

Lucy kneels next to her sister, and puts her hand on her arm. "Are you OK?"

"No, but I don't want to talk about it."

"OK, you don't have to." Lucy spots the diary on the floor next to Mary. "What's that?"

"Nothing."

"Do you want to be alone?"

"You can stay if you want. I'm not making you leave."

Lucy realizes that Mary is confused, and walks out. "I'll be in the bedroom if you want to talk. Or if you want to sit in there, I'll go downstairs."

Mary just shakes her head, and turns away from Lucy. Lucy closes the door behind her, and Mary picks up the diary. "You're a beautiful person…No matter what happens, I'll never leave your side…you'll get through this because you are a strong person…" Compliment after compliment made Mary cry. Why did I let him go? Would this all have happened if we never broke up? I don't deserve a guy like Wilson. He's great; I'm not. Mary takes a deep breath. Calm down. You're getting yourself too worked up. Everything was fine. You're all right. Now get out of this bathroom and go apologize to Lucy.

She gets up and walks into her bedroom to find Lucy sitting on her bed.

"I'm sorry. I was rude to you, and I shouldn't have been. I just got a little bit emotional."

"It's OK. You have every right to be a little crazy today."

The two sisters hug, and everything is OK. Mary has the same conversation with her mother and Ruthie, and then goes out for a drive to clear her head. She comes back around 2 o' clock, and waits around for Wilson to come pick her up. Everyone steers clear of Mary, not wanting her to blow up at them. They understand she is a little unstable right now, and they are trying to respect her space. They are all hoping that tomorrow things will go back to normal.