1Saturday. Visiting Day.

Bobby was used to making the weekly trip, never empty handed. He always brought magazines, candy, or even just a flower – some small indication that he had been thinking of her during the week.

He somehow always felt nervous when walking down the sterile hallway en route to his visit, but a strange comfort always managed to overtake him once the door was opened and he saw her and the smile his visits always elicited.

Even during happy conversations, Bobby would catch a fleeting glimpse of uncertainty in her eyes. He knew what she was wondering: "Will he ever see me for who I truly am? Will he ever truly be able to understand me and my illness and forgive me for the things it made me do?"

The slightest, comforting touch from Bobby on her hand would instantly erase those fearful thoughts and put her ease.

Then, as always, came the intrusive announcement over the loudspeaker: "Visiting hours are ending in 10 minutes."

Bobby would rise from his chair, not successfully hiding his look of regret...sadness that it was time to go.

"Thank you for coming, Robert" she would say.

With a kiss to her cheek and a hug that he wish could linger –if only for a moment more– Bobby would softly whisper his reply in her ear: "You're welcome. You take care of yourself, now, okay?"

She always assured him she would do so.

Bobby lingered in the doorway – one last smile and look of reassurance from his sparkling, brown eyes before that heavy metal door once again shut her away from the rest of the world.

"I'll see you next Saturday, Nellie."

END.