"Eric," Marcie said, looking at her brother. "What's left to talk about?" Do you want different arrangements or something?"

Eric took a deep breath. He couldn't do this to her now. Not with her friend in the hospital. He couldn't tell Marcie that there wasn't going to be a wedding. "No I was just thinking that we could use my time here to just ... be together. No wedding no planning, just us hanging out like we used to."

Marcie smiled. "I'd like that. Yeah. How long are you here for?"

"A week maybe. Maybe longer. I'm just gonna see how things go."

"Great," Marcie beamed. "That is so great. I'm so glad you're here, Eric." Marcie clung to him.

Eric held her. "Me too. Marc." He said. "Me too."

>>>>>>

"I can't do this," Mark said letting a tennis ball sit limply in his right hand. "I can hardly move my arm, you want me to throw the ball? I can't even make a fist."

"Just try Mark," the therapist said to him gently. "How about we just start by trying to just hold the ball in your hand. Nice and easy."

Mark struggled to close his fingers around the tennis ball, taking more than a few moments to accomplish the task."

"Great," the therapist said. "Great job, Mark."

"This is impossible," Mark said.

"You just got halfway there. If you keep working at it, I wouldn't be surprised if you recovered all movement in your arm. But you have to keep doing these exercises. Find somebody to toss the ball around with." he paused. "And Mark... do get back into the pool."

"Yeah..." Mark said. "Sure..."

"You can't quit. It's good for your recovery."

"My recovery..." Mark sighed. "Whatever you say, Roger."

"Mark..."

"I got it," Mark said, trying to dismiss him.

"I want to see you as an outpatient once a week after you're released." Mark nodded, seemingly defeated. "Good job today."

Roger got up and exited the room. Shannon was waiting to enter. "Hey," she said.

"Hey, Shannon," Mark said moving around the room.

"Wow... moving around already."

"My legs work, just not my hand." Mark said.

"You're OK though," Shannon "And your bruises are gone. That's good."

"If you say so."

Shannon pursed her lips. "Umm... look, about before..."

"Forget about it," Mark said. "Shannon, really. Please."

"I won't tell anybody." Shannon said sincerely. "I won't."

Mark nodded. "I appreciate it. Nick would... he's not ready to be out. And after what happened to me..."

"Some people just suck," Shannon sighed. She paused, smiled. "So what about Nick? How long have you two been... you know, together?"

"Not too long. A little before I ended up in here." Mark said.

"What's it like?.. I mean... it's a stupid question... but what's it like... being with another guy?"

Mark laughed. "It's... not any different than what you feel being with a guy. When you care for someone... it doesn't matter who you are. I think the heart still loves the same."

"And you don't mind if nobody knows you two are together?"

"It's hard to tell everybody that you're gay. That you're different. Different scares people. I would know. I got my head knocked in." Mark paused. "You have to be ready to spill that kinda news. I'm not ready to tell my parents. Nick's not ready to tell anyone. That's OK." Mark looked at her. "What about you? You never talk about a boyfriend."

"Well I am seeing someone." Shannon smiled. "Ron Walsh."

"Ron? Good for you."

"He's really great." Shannon said. "He really understands me and... he listens to what I have to say. He's wonderful."

"I'm really happy for you." Mark said. "You deserve it." Mark went to grab a bag.

"Here let me help you." Shannon said. "At least you get to come back to the cottage... get out of here. I think Marcie and Riley are out there. They'll give us a lift back. And don't worry. I meant what I said. I won't tell anybody what I saw." Mark nodded. "Come on."