Alan

I went to see Nat just before her bail hearing. A sheriff led her, in chains, and a dull colored jumpsuit, to the visiting area.

"How is she?" came out of her right away just before asking me how I was.

"As well as can be expected. She misses you. Donnie took her and Maggie to Disneyland."

"Look Alan, I had no idea that the cops would come to the house" she began to explain.

" You did what you thought was right. Now, go call your lawyer, and see about getting a plea bargain."

"Plea bargain??"

"Nat, you do realize, that being an available parent is also a valid principle?"

"Alan"

I cut her off "You've done more than your share by raising awareness. It's all over the news! "

"That's not enough!"

"Going to jail isn't gonna save that monkey's life!"

We argued some more until a guard intervened and made me leave.

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"Judge sentences Vet to volunteer at a hospital"

I read a small local Pasadena paper, unable to stopped the smile on my face. The judge, according to the article "Chastised the defendant for putting animal life on par with human life" and "wanted her to put things in perspective".

"Not only is Nat avoiding jail time, she's getting taught a lesson!" I told Charlie, who had came to see me around breakfast. Rach was brushing her teeth and getting dressed.

"and her avoiding jail is good thing?" Charlie grumbled.

"for your sister it is!" I reminded him.

9989898

Nat and I had to adjust the custody arrangements to accommodate her volunteer work. It kept her busy six days a week; good thing she's a partner at the clinic.

"How's it going?" I asked after the first week.

"They keep me busy filing, answering phones, delivering gifts, among other things" She replied. "And I gotta check with my probation officer from time to time"

"Just don't steal any more monkeys, and you should be fine" I teased.

"I'll try to fight the temptation, though for an ex hippie you sure seemed anti protesting..

"Life has taught me to pick my battles.

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After dropping Rach off two days later, I prepared for my date. It hadn't been easy to find a woman my age who didn't judge me for having a very young daughter. I made a simple casserole, and set the table. I checked to make sure that Rach's clutter was cleaned up. Between her toys and her school stuff, there was a lot to pick up.

During dinner, Mirna seemed down.

"My daughter just found out that her youngest is deaf"

"Oh Mirna...."

"The ear infections was worse than We thought" she picked at her food. Before I could comfort her some more, the phone rang.

"Alan, It's Rach, she's been hospitalized!"

TBC