Patricia hugged my mother just as desperately and bawled. I wrapped my arms around both of them and couldn't help but cry along with them. Jeannie calmly steered the three of us across the parking lot, and we had to disengage from that awkward three-way hug to get inside the door. Jeannie grabbed Patricia and hugged her as soon as we were inside.
We went through a full box of tissues, crying our eyes out and hugging each other. Patricia was exhausted after the long drive. I took her into the bathroom and gently showered her body. Then I held her in my arms while she slept. Sleep just wouldn't come for me.
I was still awake four hours later when Joanne arrived. I could hear Mom welcoming her and the two of them talking softly. They peeked into my room and I gave them as warm a smile as I
