Adrian felt his blood run cold.

"Oh Leland," he said softly, "I'm so sorry. How bad is it?"

"She needs chemotherapy and then a bone marrow transplant," Leland said with a sigh, "I'm scared."

"Does Karen know yet? Do the kids?"

GOD how am I supposed to tell Hope that her friend is sick?

"They just found out," Leland said, "Karen is beside herself. Jennifer has been throwing up. Jared and Max can't stop crying. Caroline doesn't understand what's going on. She doesn't understand why she can't leave the hospital with us."

"Did she start chemo," Adrian asked.

"She starts in the morning," Leland affirmed.

Adrian paused for a minute.

"Trudy had that," he said, "She's okay. Caroline will be okay too."

"Trudy's was caught early," Leland said, "She didn't need a bone marrow transplant. She didn't need to be in the hospital. GOD I don't know what I'd do if I lost one of my kids. When we lost Jennifer-"

"You didn't lose Jennifer," Adrian pointed out, "You're not going to lose Caroline. I'll get my bone marrow tested. Hopefully I can donate my bone marrow to her."

"You're an amazing friend Monk," Leland said.

"So are you," Adrian replied.

"Well I have to go. Jennifer's having another panic attack."

"Are you feeling overwhelmed," Adrian asked

"I need to be strong for my family," Leland said.

"I know," Adrian replied, "But are you feeling overwhelmed."

"I don't have that luxury," Leland said firmly, "Karen needs me to be strong. Jennifer needs me to be strong. Jared needs me to be strong. Max needs me to be strong. Caroline definitely needs me to be strong. This isn't like trying to stop a fart or something. If I fall apart there are serious consequences for my family."

"Stop a fart?"

"Sometimes people try to avoid embarrassing or tough situations. My father and mother used to call that, trying to stop a fart."

"That's physically impossible," Adrian pointed out.

"I know Monk," Leland said with a sigh.

"I mean-"

"Monk," Leland said, "PLEASE don't get caught up on semantics. Like I said, it's just an expression my parents made up."

"Is she allowed visitors," Adrian asked.

"Family only," Leland said.

"Hope," Adrian said, "Mommy and I have to tell you something. Caroline is really sick right now."

"What's wrong with her," Hope asked.

"She has something called leukemia," Trudy said, putting a hand on Hope's shoulder.

"Is she going to go to heaven," Hope asked.

"I think she's going to be okay," Adrian said, "But she's in the hospital. You can't see her until she's better."

"Can I give her Bunny," Hope asked referring to her stuffed bunny.

"But you love Bunny," Adrian said astonished.

"Yes but I don't have akemia," Hope replied, "Maybe Bunny can help her get better."