1984

The next five years brought many changes to the lives of Joanie and Chachi. Tony was now a high school senior and football player. He was still good friends with Matthew Holland, who also played football. Lisa was a high school freshman and also a cheerleader. She had a warm, friendly personality, very much like Joanie's, and people just seemed automatically drawn to her.

After a period of mourning for his failed marriage, Jack adjusted to the singles life once more. He dated a few women, but none of these relationships became serious. Instead, he focused all of his energy on his students, inspiring them to put forth their best effort, and as a result, the high school's football team became one of the greatest around.

"You're such an all-around great guy," Joanie said to him one day. "I'm really surprised no one's snapped you up by now."

"Oh, I suppose I'm just one of those guys who weren't meant to get married," he replied. "Sure it gets lonely sometimes, but my life is full with my students and my friends. If it happens, that would be great, but it's perfectly all right if it never does."

"I'll bet there's a woman somewhere in this world who's perfect for you," Joanie told him.

"Well, if you ever meet up with her, send her my way," he grinned.

"You'll never believe what happened today," Tony said at the dinner table one night. "You remember me talking about Matthew's Aunt Abigail who's been in a coma for twenty years? Well, today she woke up!"

"That's wonderful news!" Joanie had long ago given up all hope of Abigail's situation ever improving.

"Her doctor have her a new treatment called L-dopa," Tony continued. "She woke up and drank hot chocolate with her mother."

"How much does she remember?"

"She thinks it's still 1964."

Joanie was just leaving the school office the day Abigail returned to the school for a visit. She watched as Abigail walked slowly down the hall, a confused expression on her face.

Time had been kind to Abigail. Although her face naturally had a few tiny wrinkles, she still looked much the same as she had twenty years before. She spied Joanie and her face lit up.

"Mrs. Arcola!"

"How do you do, sweetheart? It's so good to see you again." Joanie went to Abigail and hugged her tightly.

A few minutes later, Jack approached from the opposite direction.

"Mr. Parrish!" Abigail cried.

"Jack." He chuckled. "Good to see you again, Abigail. Welcome back." Grinning broadly, he shook her hand.

"That was certainly a most wonderful surprise," Jack commented later to Joanie. "I thought that after this length of time Abigail's situation was pretty much hopeless."

"It just goes to show that miracles do happen," Joanie replied.

"I can't tell you how many times I've thought about Abigail over the years, wondering what she might have become if she'd had the chance. Now that she's back, I feel that all I want to do is to help her in any way that I can to succeed in life."

"Well, if anyone knows how to encourage someone, it's you," Joanie told him.