By 7:00 PM, Julie Teeger had arranged to transport her mother from Norfolk, VA to San Francisco General in order to be examined for further injury and to be seen by Dr. Bell the next afternoon. In the months since her step-father's death, Julie had shown great maturity for her age, navigating through the legal maze of his estate and working to ensure her mother had the greatest of care – and all of this being done while travelling between two cities on opposite coasts. Her grades had suffered only slightly, but now, her mother would be closer to her and in the hands of a doctor of psychiatry in whom she had the utmost confidence. She arrived back at the hospital around 7:30 PM and began packing Natalie's belongings so that they could catch their 10:00 PM Flight to San Francisco.

"Miss Teeger, Miss Teeger…we found it!" The nurse from the previous shift said breathlessly, holding up a small object as she entered the room.

"What? What did you find? Julie asked coldly.

"The ring, your mother's ring. It, it must have fallen off. We found it in the restroom underneath the shower curtain…"

Julie took the ring and continued packing. "Likely story. But thanks. Saves me from filing a police report." she said.

"Don't you think you should wait until tomorrow for the doctor to see her?" the nurse asked.

"She is going to be seen by a doctor - her doctor in San Francisco." Julie lifted the suitcase onto the bed. "And, now, if you will excuse me…my mother and I have a flight to catch. Good day."

"Flight 450 from Norfolk International now arriving at Gate 90" announced the voice on the terminal loudspeaker. As the doors from the flight opened, Natalie was the first one let off of the plane. Julie was able to get her to eat a little on the flight and she didn't look quite as pale as before. In fact, she seemed more at rest being back in San Francisco. She had loved it here and California is where she grew up. Perhaps it would be good for her.

Two nurses met Julie and her mother at the gate and helped Natalie get into a wheel chair while Julie handled her carry on. Her luggage would be shipped to her since there were no living arrangements for Natalie at this present moment. Depending upon what Dr. Bell said, Julie was preparing for Natalie to be moved to another hospital or, she hoped, to some form of assisted living. She would have to wait and see.

Once the nurses loaded Natalie into the hospital van, Julie sat down next to her and put her arm around her and whispered. "We're home, mama. We're home. It's going to be okay."

By 9:30 AM, Natalie was settled into a private room at San Francisco General and was eating a meal of oatmeal and toast with jelly. Surprisingly, while she was largely non-responsive to interacting with human beings, she was still able to function at a rudimentary level. She ate. She could walk. And she could even be led to the shower and seemed to know what to do. While she needed someone to prepare her meals and lay out her clothes for her, she was largely a low maintenance patient.

At 1:00 PM Dr. Bell walked out of Natalie's hospital room and warmly greeted Julie.

"Julie! How wonderful to see you! I heard you're doing well at college!"

"Yes sir, I'm trying." Julie replied. "Have you had a chance to see the reports about my mother?"

"Yes, I have. The bruising you saw was definitely caused by a person, probably another patient. But that just goes to show that they had neglected to look after her somewhat. Aside from that, she is physically sound." he answered.

"I am so glad to hear that. What about her mental status? Any responsiveness when you talked to her?"

"No dear, I'm afraid not. I believe she hears us, but she has shut down all response. It's a sort of disassociative psychosis. She just checked out." he explained.

"Is there any hope for her?" she asked.

Dr. Bell paused. "Well, I was thinking about that. She functions well enough that she doesn't necessarily have to be in a mental health facility or the like. She can walk and eat and doesn't require someone to push her around in a wheel chair or lift her in and out of bed... Will you be staying in town or in the dormitories?"

"Oh, in town. I already reached out and rented an apartment somewhat near where your office is so that wherever she is I can be nearby." Julie replied.

"Excellent! Excellent news! Julie, I have an idea. It's a little unconventional and may not work, but I think it is worth a try." he responded.

"I'm willing to try anything to make Mom better." Julie replied.

"Well, you have classes during the day and then you're home by about what time?" he asked.

"I have class between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day." she answered.

"And then you come home, no jobs, right?" he asked.

"Yes. I am in school on scholarship. Everything is paid for." she replied.

"That's great. That's great. Here's my thought. How about if your mother stays with you during the evenings and weekends and we have someone watching over her and working with her during the day." he stated.

"Sorta like assisted living?" she asked.

"In a way, yes. Except, with a twist." Dr Bell walked back to the Natalie's hospital room door and looked in on her. She was sound asleep. He turned and walked back to Julie.

"Julie, I am thinking what may help your mother is to let her be around surroundings that are very familiar to her. Friendly places. A home away from home. Help her to feel reconnected. Loved. Cared for."

"What are you suggesting, Dr. Bell?" she responded.

Dr Bell replied, "I hope you don't mind, but I have taken the liberty to reach out to Adrian Monk to see if he would be willing to look after Natalie throughout the day."

"Mr. Monk?!" Julie exclaimed. "Are you sure? I mean, last time we saw him, he was just barely able to take care of himself!"

"Things have changed, Julie. Adrian is much better than he used to be. He's really blossomed over the past few years. Sometimes I'm even surprised he's still seeing me. Oh sure, he still has his issues. Always will. But he's stronger. More independent. He hasn't' even had an assistant since your Mom left. I think…I think it would be good for him…for them. For them both. They really connected. She really understood him and supported him during some of the hardest times. And he was able to open up to her like nobody else, even me. What do you think?" he asked.

"You're sure?" she responded.

"If I weren't sure then I wouldn't be suggesting it." he replied with a smile on his face.

Julie smiled back and then with a slightly nervous reply stated,"Very well then. Mr. Monk it is! It will be good to see him again!"