-1Scene XXIV: That afternoon at Michael's, a craft and hobby store.

Jen couldn't stop thinking about what Walter was talking about with her that morning. She second guessed her motives for "keeping busy" and decided to wander around Michael's looking at all the stuff she could do.

Painting came to her through force. She thought all hands-on type hobbies and crafting was too pedestrian for her. She could better spend her time doing more worth-while things, like pushing herself to amass an education that would rival any other Rhodes' Scholar. But, when she broke down the first time, she was reduced to a quivering sobbing mess who could not be trusted to be by herself.

While she was inpatient at South Oaks, she participated in all group activities. Art therapy became her favorite. There were times when she was given paints, a brush, and a piece of paper. Other times it was Play-Doh. She even was handed crayons at one point. It wasn't a specific assignment each time, per se, but a way for her to express her deepest feelings without verbalizing them. From that point on, she was hooked on painting. What she didn't know about herself was that there was an accomplished painter hiding within her begging to be let out.

So, here she stood, in the acrylic paints aisle, browsing over the hundreds of different colors in those little two-ounce bottles. She smiled when she came across familiar color names. School Bus Yellow, Midnight Blue, Wicker White, Berry Wine. She grabbed a shopping basket and began depositing the paint tubes in it, along with brushes and a few canvases. I'll give it a shot, she thought to herself. What harm could come from having some kindergarten-type fun?

She turned the corner to head towards the registers when she ran into Josh. She tried to not look surprised, but that attempt failed. Josh stood there smiling.

Josh: Hey, Jen! I didn't know you were coming here. I could have given you a ride, you know.

Jen: Oh, well I didn't know I was coming here either. I was just kind of browsing. I guess I needed to get out of the house before I became a hermit.

Josh: Hey, that's cool.

Jen: What are you doing here?

Josh: Oh, I'm getting some supplies. Mindy and I are going to scrapbook together.

Josh looks sheepishly at his feet. Could he sound more like a dork?

Jen: I would love to scrapbook someday. I've got hundreds of family pictures sitting in a box waiting for me to do something with them. Maybe later you could show me some techniques?

Josh: Well, even better. Why don't you join me and Mindy? I'm sure there's room at the table for one more.

Jen really doesn't want to see any one she knows that's outside the family. She quickly begins backpedaling with an excuse.

Jen: No, no. That's ok. I don't want to impose. I'm just gonna pay for these paints, and head on home. I promised Aunt Audrey I'd help with dinner. See ya!

Jen makes a bee line for the register so she can get out as soon as possible. She was not ready for this. She thought being an anonymous face would be ok, but why did she have to be recognized in public? It was Josh, but still, she's not ready for socializing yet. She wanted to get back home and hide under the blankets. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Josh saw her make her way to the register and wondered what he said or did wrong. He was doing his best to make Jen feel more comfortable now, but it seems that any effort will be fruitless. He did want her to join him and Mindy for some scrapbooking, but he also wanted her and Mindy to talk. After all, Mindy has some experience being an inpatient as well. Maybe Jen could find comfort in knowing that she's not the only one. I just wish she could trust herself enough to trust us, Josh thought to himself. He found the scrapbooking section and turned his attention to rub-on sayings and stickers.