Hobbes smiled at the fact that Kasey hadn't pushed her away yet. He pulled her closer. She was making progress, little by little.

Kasey sniffled. She wasn't really sure why she was letting Hobbes comfort her, but it felt good, so she didn't stop him. All those thoughts wouldn't leave her mind, and she didn't feel like talking. Hobbes seemed to understand and didn't try and get her to talk. She still refused to cry.

Susie noticed how quiet it was outside and looked out the window. She saw Kasey hugging Hobbes for the first time. She smiled. At least she was getting the comfort she needed. Janey approached her and smiled.

"I think Kasey's going to be ok," she said.

"Yeah," replied Susie, "I think so too."

"What about you?"

Susie turned. "What?"

"How are you holding up?"

"Fine."

"Liar." Janey grinned.

Susie found a way to chuckle slightly and sat down. "I'm just glad he's coming home tomorrow. Then all this will be over."

"Are you sure it'll be over? I'm thinking you're going to stress over him for the whole month he has his cast on. Then after that you probably won't let him drive anywhere for another three months." Janey spoke jokingly, but Susie knew she wasn't completely exaggerating.

When the silence became prolonged, Janey sat down beside Susie and put her arm around her. Susie remained stiff. Although she wanted to lean against her best friend, she felt she had to be strong for Kasey. For Calvin. For everyone. She felt so weak when she kept breaking down yesterday. No more. Janey removed her arm, leaving Susie feeling worse than before. It was like she had just rejected the comfort she really needed.

"Kasey," Hobbes finally spoke.

She sniffled again, not letting the tears come. "What?"

"Did I ever tell you the raccoon story?"

"What raccoon story?" Kasey removed herself from Hobbes' arm and sat up to look at him, curious.

Hobbes frowned. "Huh. Could have sworn I told it to you. Well, once your dad and I found a hurt baby raccoon. He was really bad off. Your grandma put him in a shoe box to keep him safe and we all gave him food and water, but he wouldn't eat anything." Hobbes' eyes grew sadder, and Kasey couldn't help feeling downhearted too. Already she wanted this raccoon to make it.

"But he died a couple days later," Hobbes continued sadly, "Your dad was crushed. And scared."

Kasey raised her eyebrows. "My dad? Scared? How could he be? What's there to be scared of?"

"Oh, lots of things. He started worrying about death a lot. He had nightmares too." He eyed Kasey. "He started dreaming that he was going to die soon. He was really scared. Like your mom is now."

That was too much. Kasey stood up abruptly. "Mom isn't scared! She's a grown-up!"

"Adults get scared too."

"No they don't! I've never seen an adult scared once!"

"Of course not. They want to stay strong for the kids. But trust me, everyone gets scared."

Kasey scowled. "I don't believe you."

"Tell me, on the drive down to the hospital, did your mom act weird at all?"

"No…well…not really…" Kasey thought, "I mean…she couldn't drive to the hospital…"

"Mmhmm. And why do you think that is?"

"Uh…I don't know. I thought it was because she was so excited to see Dad."

"Did she act excited?"

"No…."

"See? She was scared. Why else would she act that way?"

"No! I can't believe someone as strong as Mom would get scared over such a little thing! It's absurd!"

Hobbes tried not to roll his eyes. She really didn't seem to get it. "Getting into car accidents is not a little thing. Your dad could have been really hurt, or even killed. Adults think of that. Of what could have happened. I wouldn't be surprised if your mom doesn't let him drive for a while after he gets his cast off. She's afraid the same thing will happen again, only it'll be worse."

"That's just crazy."

"It is, actually. But that's how people think. I saw your dad act that way. Ask him about the raccoon, I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing. People are crazy sometimes. Kasey," Hobbes looked at her meaningfully, "it's ok to be scared."

Kasey bit her lip, her nightmare in her head and tears threatening to form. She walked briskly toward the front door.

"Hey, where are you going? You're going to leave me out here?" Hobbes called.

No answer. The door was shut and Hobbes sat out in the grass, praying he had broken some barriers and helped her make a little more progress.

Susie stood up quickly when she heard Kasey walk in. Hobbes wasn't with her.

"Where's Hobbes? You shouldn't leave him outside like that," she said.

Kasey was about to open the door to her room, but she thought of what Hobbes said and turned to face Susie. "Mom? If I ask you a question, will you be completely truthful?"

A little taken aback by the question, Susie stepped back. "Um, of course I will, honey."

"Are you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Of this whole situation. Are you scared that Dad will get hurt again? Are you going to be scared whenever he goes out? Tell me the truth!" Kasey crossed her arms.

Janey's eyes were wide, Susie's eyes were sad. She approached Kasey and get down on her knees to make eye contact.

"Kasey," she said, "Don't worry about me, ok?"

"You didn't answer my question."

Janey stood up. "Susie, she needs to know how her mother is feeling about this. Just tell her the truth."

A lump rose in Susie's throat and she swallowed. How can she tell her own daughter that she was scared out of her mind? How would Kasey feel when she knew her mother wasn't a superhero, and never was? Tears pricked her eyes and she put her hand on Kasey's shoulder. "Kasey," she said again, "Kasey…you…you have no idea how scared I am. I'm really scared. About everything in this whole situation. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. I'm sorry I'm scared." Tears came, and Susie let her head hang in shame.

Kasey didn't know what to think. "But, you're a grown-up. You aren't supposed to get scared." Her head whirled and her world came crashing down. If adults get scared like kids do, how can the world go on? Someone is always supposed to be the strong one. Kasey thought Susie was, but now she knew that wasn't true. She didn't know who was supposed to be strong.

Susie lifted her sad eyes. "I know honey. I know."

Now Janey stood up abruptly. "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Adults and kids can be scared. It's completely normal! Kasey, your mom is scared for a very good reason. Not everyone gets into car accidents like this. It can be scary, terrifying. Because it could have been so much worse. Both of you need to support each other. Neither of you should take the responsibility of "the strong one" who isn't scared or doesn't cry. Both of you are strong, I know you are. You can both grow from this and help each other. Got it?"

Adults get scared. Kids get scared. Kasey started seeing how she needed to help her mom, and how her mom needed to help her. Janey was additional help so neither of them pushed themselves over the edge. Susie stood up and wiped her eyes. Kasey headed back outside. Hobbes was waiting.

"I'm sorry," Kasey mumbled, "I was just angry. I'm sorry I left you out here." She returned to her place next to Hobbes, who didn't say anything. He was there to help her, and Kasey started feeling guilty for pushing him away. She started seeing that she needed help. Her vision started getting blurry. "Hobbes, what if he isn't ok? What if something goes wrong? What if his leg heals wrong? What if he gets into another car accident? What if…."

Hobbes put his arm around her again and pulled her into a hug.

"Hobbes?"

"Yes Kasey?"

"I'm so scared."