Jennifer was tossing and turning in her sleep. She was close to tears. Leland rested his hand on her back for a moment. Jennifer woke up.
"I'm sorry dad," she said, "Did I wake you?"
"You have nothing to apologize for," Leland said firmly but gently, "Bad dream?"
"I dreamt about the kidnapping," Jennifer said, "You would think I wouldn't have nightmares anymore. I mean, it happened so long ago."
"It's normal," Leland reassured his daughter, "I mean, Trudy survived a car bombing ten years ago and she still has nightmares about it."
"I hate having nightmares," Jennifer said, "Could you stay with me until I get back to sleep?"
"Of course," Leland said.
He rubbed her back until she fell back to sleep. He watched her sleep for about ½ an hour. He kissed her forehead and tiptoed out of the room, quietly closing the door.
It took 3 hours for Jennifer to fall back to sleep. Leland stayed with her until she fell back asleep. He went back after and checked on Karen. She woke up.
"How do you feel," he asked her.
"A little better," she said, "Thank you for taking care of everything, Leland."
Leland smiled. He sighed after.
"I'm worried about Jennifer," he admitted, "I think she should start seeing Dr. Bella every day."
"Fine," Karen said, "But I won't have her put in a psychiatric hospital. She's too vulnerable. She needs to be with her family and I'm not even close to kidding."
"I know," Leland said shaking his head, "She's not going anywhere. Someone recommended shock therapy."
"You're not seriously considering that are you," Karen asked.
"Of course not," Leland reassured his wife, "We have to do something to help her though. She's trying so hard to be strong and I'm really worried she's going to fall apart."
"Maybe when school starts again… she is okay to go to school isn't she?"
"We'll talk about that closer to September," Leland said.
Karen nodded.
"Okay," she agreed.
"By the way," Leland said, "I have one question."
"Sure," Karen said.
"How close is kidding?"
Karen laughed and swatted him with a pillow. He gathered her in his arms.
"I love you," he told her.
"I love you too," Karen said.