Chapter 10

Life for Joy, in the hospital, wasn't easy. She often times would ignore her therapist, Dr. Amy White. However, Dr. White had plenty of patience towards Joy and eventually won out.

Joy was out of her room, doing a group therapy, when Randy came into visit Dr. White.

"Hello, Dr. White, I'm Randy Disher, Joy's guardian," said Randy.

"Please, have a seat, Mr. Disher," said Dr. White, pleasantly.

"Please, just call me Randy," said Randy.

"Ok, Randy it is," said Dr. White, "what can I do for you?"

"It's about Joy," started Randy, "how is she doing?"

"Well, obviously, Randy, I can't talk about our sessions but, I can tell you that I am making progress with her," said Dr. White.

"The reason I'm asking is I need her to identify someone. I need to know how she will react," said Randy.

"Whom is it that she would have to ID?" questioned Dr. White, concerned where this conversation was going.

"I think we may have found the man who murdered her sister," said Randy, "and if he is the one, then we need her to ID him, since she was the only witness."

Blowing out the breath she was holding, Dr. White looked at Randy. "You do realize, Randy, that having Joy see him again, could possibly set her back. She could lose all that she has accomplished. Are you willing to risk it?" asked Dr. White.

"That's why I came to you first, Dr. White. How do you think she would handle it?" asked Randy, determined to bring the one responsible to justice, but at what expense? "Ok, how about I ask her, if she'd be willing to identify this suspect and if I show her pictures, rather than having her ID him through a lineup, she might be able to pick him out. And if you could be with us, in case she gets agitated?" asked Randy, hopefully.

Sighing, Dr. White realized that Randy Disher wasn't going to let this go. Finally, she nodded her head in agreement. "Ok, you win, we will try pictures first----and if, and only if, she does fine, then we will progress to a possible lineup."

"Thank you, Dr. White. When will be a good time for you?" asked Randy.

"Thursday at 1:00," said Dr. White, glancing at her calendar.

Randy nodded his agreement to be there on Thursday and rose to leave. Dr. White watched him go and said, "Randy, I hope you catch the one who did this." Randy gave her a grateful smile and walked out.

Later that night…..

Randy walked up to the front door of Sharona's house. As he rung the doorbell, he checked his breath and nervously fiddled with his tie. This would be their first "date", although it would be with Benjy. Randy was nervous about meeting Benjy. He didn't know how Benjy would react to Randy dating Sharona. Randy hoped to make a favorable impression or else it would spell disaster for his relationship.

Benjy bounded for the door as soon as he heard the bell ring. Sharona was busy cooking dinner and was unable to get it herself.

The door opened and Randy found himself staring at Benjy. "Uh, hi, I'm Randy Disher," stammered Randy, thinking how lame that really sounded.

"Yeah, I know. Come on in," said Benjy, appraising the new man in his mom's life, hoping he wouldn't be another loser.

Sharona came out of the kitchen, with a 'Kiss the Cook' apron on, covering her skin-tight, low cut shirt and form fitting pants. Her hair was piled up in a curly mass on her head. Sharona thought she looked a mess, Randy though she looked beautiful.

"Hi," said Sharona, shyly.

"Hi," said Randy, staring at her with a lovestruck look.

"Oh, please, I think I'm going to get sick," said Benjy, rolling his eyes at his mother's behavior.