~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jessica's eyes fluttered open.  She had forgotten what had happened, but as soon as she felt the pain when she lifted her arm, it all came back.  She moaned as her head fell back onto her pillow.

"She's awake!  Honey, she's awake, come here," a soft but insistently excited voice called.  Jessica's eyes focused on her mothers face.  Her warm brown eyes smiled at her.  "How are you feeling dear?  Are you ok?  Do you need anything?" she asked worriedly.

"Something to drink maybe" Jessica smiled as her little brother Tommy walked in.  He was wearing his favorite shirt that her mother had tried to get rid of many times, on account of the numerous stains and tears in it.  "Hey Runt"

     "Jessica I knew you'd be ok.  I wore my lucky shirt too just to make sure."  He smiled hugely, showing a gap in between his teeth.

"Oh Runt, you lost your last tooth."

Tommy nodded proudly.  "Done it last night, and all by itself I didn't even have to pull it out.  I was gonna, but it hurt" 

Jessica laughed and ruffled his hair.  "I told you just to leave it and it would eventually go on its own."  She smiled gratefully when her mother handed her a glass of water.  "Thanks Mom," She swallowed it as if she had not drunk anything for days.

"Your welcome dear.  I guess you were lucky that Michael was there to help you.  Its too bad he can't come visit, I know he would like too." 

"Yeah, real lucky.  I wouldn't have to be here if it weren't for him, that's what.  And once I'm out of here he's gonna be sorry."

"Now Jessie.  Don't let me hear you talk like that.  Michael's your friend and I'm sure it was just an accident.  I bet the poor boys eating himself up right now because of it."  Her mother shook her finger at Jess to make her point.  Jessica just rolled her eyes.

"When can I go home, Mom?"

"As soon as you can get dressed." her mother said, digging some clean cloths out of a brown paper bag she had brought with her. "Here, I thought you might like this better then putting on those dirty cloths from last night."  She handed Jessica a pink shirt with a care bear on it and her black flare pants.

"Thanks mom.  Exactly what I was hoping."  She smirked and got up to go into the bathroom to change.  Her mother turned around to get everything ready when she spotted Tommy playing with the TV knobs.

"Tommy Sullivan, come here right now."  She ordered.  Tommy walked back over to her sullenly.  Jessica emerged from the bathroom.

     "Alright I'm ready."