"When you think of Laura, laugh, don't cry. I know she'd want it that way."

Someone was singing to her.

But who?

Who?!

###########################

"Mona, can I come in?" Sam asked standing outside Mona's apartment.

"You know how to use a door knob don't you?" She heard Mona yell from inside.

Normally Sam would have given her back a sarcastic answer but she didn't this time. Instead she opened the door and walked in.

"Mona what are you doing?!" She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"The hokey-pokey."

But she wasn't doing the hokey pokey. Instead she was taking things out of her kitchen cupboards and drawers and rearranging everything.

"Uh Mona, you're rearranging your kitchen?"

"Yup!"

'But, doesn't Dad usually..'

"Sam, do me a favor and don't mention that man to me."

"Mona, come on. He's hurting just as much as you are-as we all are."

Mona didn't answer. She just kept right on doing what she was doing.

"Mona? Would you please sit and talk with me?"

Mona sighed but did as she asked. They sat down on the couch.

"Look Sam I know he's your Father and you have your loyalty to him but if you are asking me to forgive him you can just forget it!"

"Mona, it's killing him that you and Jonathan are so angry with him."

"Jonathan knows the truth?"

Sam nodded. "Dad told him earlier."

"And what did Jonathan say?"

"He was livid. He called dad an asshole and told him it was all his fault that Angela was missing."

Mona started laughing. "Good! "

Sam shook her head. "Mona, we can't let this tear us apart. We're a family. We need to stick together."

Mona was quiet for a few minutes. She just looked down without saying a word. Finally she picked her head up and looked Sam straight in the eyes.

"What if it were the other way around?"

'What do you mean?"

"What if it were Angela who lied to Tony and walked out on him not once but twice! And Tony was so hurt and upset that he took off in his jeep and had an accident and you had no idea where he was or even if he were alive. How would you feel?"

"I would feel scared, angry, and helpless."

"Yes, exactly and you would be angry with Angela wouldn't you?"

"I would. But….'

"No, there's no but Sam! I just can't forgive Tony right now. He's the reason why my little girl.." She couldn't say anymore. She was to choked up.

Sam waited until she got herself under control.

"Mona, do you think that Angela is.."

"Dead?"

"Yeah."

Mona shook her head. "No, I don't. I'm her Mother. I would know."

"Then there's still hope."

Mona shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

"Mona I…."

Mona held her hand up. "Please, no more. I just want to be alone."

"Okay." Sam stood up and walked to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and opened the door. She turned back around and looked at Mona. She was leaning back with her eyes closed.

"I love you Mona."

Mona didn't say anything for a few moments. Sam was wondering if she even heard her.

Sam sighed and started out the door. Before she closed it she heard Mona say:

"I love you too."

Sam walked down the stairs and across the driveway and went into the kitchen where Mrs. Rossini was just finishing cleaning the kitchen.

"How did it go?"

"About what I expected." Sam collapsed in a chair.

"Well, there isn't anything we can do tonight. I'm beat. I'm going to bed." Mrs. Rossini said.

Sam nodded and stood up.

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

Sam locked the back door and they turned the lights off and went into the living room. They were surprised to see Mrs. Rossini's suitcase still sitting where Joey had left it.

"Dad, never took your suitcase up."

"Yeah, that's how I know he is completely distraught." Mrs. Rossini said sadly.

Sam locked the front door and then picked up the suitcase and they proceeded up the stairs.

Jonathan's door was closed but Tony's was slightly open.

"I guess you can stay in Dad's room."

"Okay."

"Wait a minute. Mrs. R, do you hear that?"

They listened for a moment.

"It sounds like muffled sobs."

They walked over to Angela's door and heard Tony sobbing.

"Oh my God! Dad!" Sam went to open the door but Mrs. Rossini stopped her.

"Sam, why don't you let me take care of this."

Sam looked at the closed door then at her.

"Okay"

She walked over to her door.

"Good night Mrs. R."

"Good night Sam."

Sam went into her bedroom and shut the door behind her.

Mrs. Rossini gently knocked on the door.

"Tony it's me. Can I come in?"

She didn't hear anything but a minute later the door opened.

His eyes were red and teary.

"Oh, Mrs. Rossini. Oh geez, I forgot your suitcase!"

"It's okay."

"No, it's not okay! I was raised better than that!"

"Tony, you're under a lot of stress right now."

"But…"

"Tony, let's go inside."

"Okay."

They walked in and Tony sat down on the bed. He picked Angela's robe up and held it close to him.

Mrs. Rossini sat down beside him.

"Have you gotten any sleep?"

Tony shook his head.

"I can't sleep. Every time I try to I picture Angela. She's hurt and scared. And I can't do a damn thing about it!"

"Have you tried praying?"

Tony scoffed. "I don't think God wants to hear from me right now."

"He always wants to hear from us. But, if you want I'll pray."

Tony nodded.

They made the sign of the cross and clasped their hands together.

"Heavenly Father please watch over Tony, Mona, Jonathan, and Sam as they go through this difficult time. Give them the strength and courage that they need and wherever Angela is please make her well so she can come home. Amen."

"Amen."

"Thank you Mrs. Rossini."

"You're welcome."

Before he could stop them the tears started flowing again.

"Oh Tony."

She took him in her arms and he cried on her shoulder.

Just like he had done when he was a little boy who had just lost his Mother.

Just like he had done as a young man who had just lost his wife.

########################################

She didn't know where she was. Or even how she got here. This place wherever it was was… well she wasn't sure. All she knew was she was tired. She was so tired. She kept hearing people talking to her. At first she was scared. She didn't recognize their voices. But after a while she felt at peace. They were speaking so gently to her. It was like they really cared about her. There were two women who kept talking to her and to each other about her. And there was this guy who also talked to her and sang to her. He had a beautiful voice. Deep and rich. But for some reason he kept on singing the same thing over and over:

"When you think of Laura, laugh, don't cry. I'd know she'd want it that way.."

Was she Laura?

Was that why he kept singing it to her?

A WEEK LATER:

This had been one of the longest weeks of their lives. Mrs. Rossini had returned home after a few days leaving Sam to watch over the rest of them. To everyone's surprise Mona didn't say one nasty thing to her the whole time she was there. She was actually pleasant to her. Mrs. Rossini knew she was definitely hurting. But Mona and Jonathan refused to even speak to Tony. Every time Tony would try to, they would walk away. Sam and Mrs. Rossini tried to run interference to no avail.

It was early afternoon and Tony was doing everything he could to keep himself preoccupied. He cleaned the oven, he dusted, he did the laundry but nothing helped. He sat down on the sofa and let out a deep sigh.

"Hey Dad." Sam greeted him coming in from the kitchen.

"Hey Sam."

The doorbell rang and he got up and walked over to the door and opened it.

A police officer was standing at the door.

Tony felt a swirl of emotions take over his body.

Angela! They found Angela!

Was she okay?

Was she hurt?

"Officer, my God! You found her?! Please tell me you found Angela!" Tony begged him

Sam walked over.

'Is that why you're here?" She pleaded.

He shook his head.

"Are you Anthony Micelli?"

"Yes, yes, I am."

The officer reached into his pockets and retrieved a piece of paper. He handed the paper to Tony.

"What is this?"

"It's a notice. You have twenty four hours to vacate the premises."

"WHAT?!" Sam asked, her mouth dropping in shock. "Who ordered this?"

Tony looked at the paper and sighed.

"Mona."

###############################

She knew she couldn't stay here forever. But truthfully it was so peaceful. So she kept putting off opening her eyes. They still talked to her and he still kept singing to her. She could tell they cared but were also worried. How could she keep doing this to them? It wasn't fair. So with a great deal of effort she slowly opened her eyes.

"Doctor! She's opening her eyes!"

Angela blinked and looked around. She was in a strange room surrounded by three people she had never seen before. Two women were on one side and a man was on the other side.

Who were they?

Why was she with them?

"Hello sleeping beauty. I'm glad you decided to join us."

Angela turned to him and tried to speak but her voice was dry and scratchy,

"Here I'll get you some water." One of the ladies said She poured her a glass and stuck a straw in it. She then lifted the bed until Angela was in a sitting position. She helped Angela with the water and Angela gratefully swallowed half the glass. The lady put the glass on the table next to the bed.

Angela looked at them all in confusion.

"Where am I?"