Six weeks later, Trudy was finally out of the cast. It felt so good to be able to move her leg.

"Bye honey," Marsha said, hugging her daughter goodbye as they went to drive back to their house, "I'll miss you."

"We see you guys every day," Trudy pointed out, "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."

"We love you too," Dwight said.

He put an arm around Marsha. They went out to the car. Adrian and Trudy were finally alone together. They went outside. Trudy sat down on the porch swing. Adrian sat next to her. He put his arm around her.

"I'm so glad that you were able to get that cast off," he said, kissing her.

"So am I," Trudy said, "I'm finished with the article."

"The one you wrote about Dickover?"

"Rickover," Trudy corrected laughing, "Though I agree he's a dick. Want to read it?"

"Absolutely," Adrian said.

She handed the article to him. He read the whole thing.

"This is really good," he said, "Are you going to publish it?"

"I don't know," Trudy admitted, "It would tarnish his reputation and he'd be furious. I know he's in Rome now, but he has friends in high places. It's better to not rock the boat."

"That makes sense," Adrian said.

"It was great seeing Trudy and Adrian for nearly five ½ months," Marsha said smiling.

"I know," Dwight replied, "We'll see them tomorrow too. We basically see them every day."

"We should really have a redo of the party," Marsha said, "Maybe in Ghirardelli Square at the hotel ballroom."

"I love that idea," Dwight replied, "I don't want a trampoline though. I don't want her to break her leg again."

"I completely agree," Marsha said, "She was in so much pain with her broken leg."

"I just wish she didn't feel guilty," Dwight added, "She did nothing wrong."

"When you've been through what she's been through it's hard to see that," Marsha replied softly.

"I know. It's so hard seeing someone you love suffering."

"It's worse than suffering yourself," Marsha replied, "Trudy is the most wonderful person ever. She's kindhearted. She's compassionate… She's perfect."

"Well, I agree but I'm her dad," Dwight said with a small smile, "I'm a little biased."

"I think so too," Marsha said.

"You're her mom," Dwight pointed out, "and before you say Adrian thinks so too– he's, her husband."

Marsha's cell phone rang.

"Who is it," Dwight asked.

"It's Trudy," Marsha replied.

She picked up the phone.

"Hello? Honey what's up?"

"Hi mom. First of all, we're okay. We were going out to lunch, and we were hit by a drunk driver. There's no harm to us but the car is completely destroyed. We're going to take a cab home, but can we borrow your spare car just until-"

"Of course! That must have been so scary," Marsha said.

"The important thing is we're okay," Trudy replied, "We can always replace the car."

"Exactly," Marsha replied, "Just like I told you when you were 17."

"What happened when I was 17," Trudy asked.

"You were on your way home from a party when a drunk driver rammed your car. You were fine. You had no injuries, but the car was destroyed. You were so upset. You kept saying you were so sorry. Your dad and I told you we couldn't care less about the car. We could always get a new car. We couldn't get a new Trudy. Things can be replaced; people can't."

"That's so true," Trudy said, "After having been gone for ten years I realize that so much more than ever."

"We just got home," Marsha said, "We'll bring you the car right now."

"Thanks mom," Trudy said, "I really appreciate that."

"I love you," Marsha said before she hung up.

"What's going on," Dwight asked.

"Trudy and Adrian were hit by a drunk driver," Marsha said, "No injuries but the car was destroyed. They have to borrow our spare car-"

"They can have it," Dwight commented, "I'm just grateful they're okay."

"I'll drive this car. You drive the spare car?" Marsh suggested.

"Sure," Dwight replied.

He kissed her.

"I love you honey," he said.

Marsha smiled.

"I love you too," she said.

The drive only took 45 minutes. There was no traffic.

"Thanks so much," Trudy said, "I promise we'll return the car in perfect condition."

Dwight held up his hand.

"Keep the car," he said, "Just keep yourself in perfect condition."

"Thank you," Adrian said, "We really appreciate everything you do for us."

"Can we stay a couple of hours," Marsha asked.

"Of course," Adrian and Trudy said in unison.

"I was just about to make dinner," Trudy said, "How does spaghetti and meatballs sound?"

"It doesn't make a noise," Dwight joked, "but it tastes delicious."

"You go sit down," Marsha said, "I'll make the spaghetti and meatballs."

"Great," Trudy replied, "Would you like to see the article I wrote?"

"Absolutely," Marsha said, "After dinner."

"You can show me now," Dwight told Trudy.

Trudy went into her bedroom and printed out a copy of the article. She handed it to Dwight. He read it and smiled approvingly.