Gloria stayed in the private room until she was strong enough to take care of herself. The last overdose could have, and should have, killed her. Under Ms. Bakers care, she would thrive, Baker made sure of that.

Within a couple of weeks she would be placed as a court appointed resident in a hospital rehabilitation center. The plan was this: no outside privileges for three months at least. From rehab she would then be placed in outside hospital facilities, still under court order. She would begin finding a job or training for an occupation, even get her GED first if necessary. Gloria would test out and go into training in anything that took six months or less to get a license.

While in the hospital she was given catalogues and the study guide for the GED. As she was reading the study guide, she started to think (usually never a good idea for an addict). First she was glad to be clean again, but then her thoughts wandered she was sitting in a pharmacy, how could she get to the drugs. It was the class description of becoming a pharmacy tech in just six months that started the thought. She could not imagine herself doing anything as difficult as that, so she decided to keep looking.

***

Joseph could not wait to tell his Grandfather about asking Jessica to marry him, and that he wanted to meet her mother and grandmother. “Take a ride in the country, bring a picnic lunch, do everything the proper way, maybe even have the ceremony up there.”

Grandpa asked, “What’s the rush Joe? You sound like a little child right before Christmas.”

Joe blushed, and stuttered out the truth bit by bit, “Shotgun weddings don’t happen much these days. As long as we keep your father out of it! But seriously Joe, what do you two have in common? What are her friends like, what kind of books does she enjoy? Is she athletic? What’s her favorite type movie? Favorite flower, perfume, temperament? What faith if any is she drawn to? Would you marry this quickly if there were other circumstances?”

Joseph paused, saying nothing – but everything – in that pause. “Grandpa, no. I wouldn’t have given her a second, well tenth, glance if it wasn’t for the convenient sex. For me it was sex, for her, well who knows?”

The old man said nothing.

“I think I’m in over my head and I have no idea what to do.”

“Tell her you are over your head. Honesty is the only way. Get married at a justice of the peace, and tell no-one.”

This time Joe said nothing.

“I can watch the child when you are too busy. Keep your own apartments and when she needs sleep, you can sleep there and help with feeding and diaper change; I can even do that, I learned from taking care of you.”

“Gramps, I don’t want her getting upset.”

“Well just get married Son, no shame in that. She can tell her co-workers and family, you and I can tell each other.” He smiled and continued, “Just like we are talking now. Whatever your heart tells you to do, follow it, stay out of your head.”

Joe gave his Gramps a hug, “I’m so grateful you were and still are such a big influence in my life. I’m gonna get some shut eye, or at least try to.

***

Belle had a hard time understanding these books that were supposed to be easy, but later that day; she met with Mr. Parker at the park.  Every time he had a question, she knew the answer.  It made her wonder ‘how is that happening?”

When she asked how that might be, the old man smiled at Belle and said, “Remember, you have ‘site‘, and because of that the information is able to enter your mind naturally; especially in your sleep.”

 Belle looked puzzled.

“No need to be concerned Belle, it just means you are more advanced than either of us thought. That makes todays lesson necessary. Today, we will show you how to keep unwelcome thoughts away, and to surround yourself with protection.”

And so began the advancement of Belle; in ways she never dreamed possible.