"Well, now you know what the deal is," Michael told Laura. They sat together on a bench in the park, Michael's arm around Laura's shoulders. Jeremy and Jennifer were playing ball with Karen; or rather, they were trying to keep her focused on throwing or catching the ball without being distracted by random events happening around her.

"I know she has problems," said Laura. "So does my cousin Amon. He's been deaf since he was three years old, and we've always been accepting of him and tried our best to help him any way we could."

Karen ran to her father, holding the ball.

"Ball."

"Yes, I see that you have the ball," said Michael. "Would you like to throw it to Jeremy or Jennifer?"

Karen primped up as if to cry.

"Ball!"

"That's OK, Karen," said Jennifer. "You can just hang onto the ball for awhile, if you want."

Karen, still holding the ball, attempted to wedge her body in between Michael and Laura. They moved over to make room for her.

"See what I mean?" Michael continued. "It's a bit more complicated than Michael's deafness."

"She thinks I'm trying to take you away from her," Laura observed.

"She's frightened," said Michael. "She's already pretty much lost her Mum, and now she fears losing me as well."

"That's understandable," said Laura. "Karen? Please listen to me. I promise I will never, ever, take your Daddy away from you. I only want to be his friend, and I want to be your friend, too."

Karen dropped the ball and wrapped both arms around her father's body, holding on tight as she glared at Laura.

Michael chuckled.

"I can see right now it will be a challenge." He patted Karen's arms. "There's plenty of love to go around, Karen. I can love someone new and still love you just as much." His ears blushed a deep red. "Oh, dear, I've just said too much, I'm afraid." He glanced helplessly, pleadingly, at Laura.

Did he just admit he loves me?

Laura cleared her throat.

"He's right, Karen. Love isn't like candy, where more for one person means less for another. There's plenty of love to go around for everyone."

"You've just explained that so much better than I ever could have," said Michael.


"So, do your parents think I'm too old for you?" asked Robin. He and Paula were at the bowling alley. He had just scored a strike.

"They haven't said anything at all about that." Laura stood, preparing to grab her ball. "My Mom said you seem very nice." She swung her arm back and released the ball, her elation turning to frustration as she watched it roll part of the way to the pins, then suddenly veer left and roll into the gutter.

Robin gave a bemused smile.

"You keep bending your elbow. You have to hold your arm perfectly straight, just like I told you."

"But I don't even realize I'm doing it!"

"Just imagine that you don't have an elbow, that your arm is perfectly straight, like that of a stick figure."

Paula did, and managed to knock down three pins.

"See, what did I tell you?" said Robin.

"Did you enjoy the party?" asked Paula, retrieving her ball.

"It was going great until that kid had to wreck it. Who is she, anyway?"

"Laura's boyfriend's daughter. You met Laura. She's my Mom's cousin. She lost her husband when the twins were just babies."

Robin rolled a spare, then scowled.

"That's really sad!"

"Yeah," Paula agreed. "It's about time she met someone, she's been single so long."

Robin knocked down the remaining pins, pumping his fists in victory.

"But shouldn't that kid of his be in an institution? I thought that's what they did with kids like that."

Paula shrugged.

"I don't know. Karen's the first autistic child I've ever met." Was he so put off by what happened at the party he won't even want to date me anymore?

"Your turn," Robin reminded her. She stood up to get her ball. "Seems to me she needs more discipline. He lets her get away with too much."

"Maybe so," said Paula.


"It's so hard to say goodbye!" said Laura. They were in the lobby at the airport. It was the day Michael and Karen were flying home to England.

Michael clasped both Laura's hands, gazing deep into her eyes.

"Laura, I give you my word, I shall return as soon as I can. I'll get matters sorted as far as permanent residency and permission to work here are concerned, and when that's settled, I'll wrap up work on my end and look for job prospects over here."

Laura sighed.

"That just sounds so complicated!"

Michael reached for her and pulled her into a hug, and she clung to him as if her life depended on it.

"I swear to you, Laura, we'll make it, somehow."