She stopped and turned. "Yes?"

"Do you know how my mother is doing?"

"No, Chris, I don't. Another doctor is on her case, but I'll see what I can find out. Anything else?" Without Chris noticing she had again sat beside him and had taken his hands in hers. Her fingers were soft and soothingly warm as she critically assessed his physical and emotional condition.

"Well, I'd like to stay here as long as I can. Could you arrange that for me?"

"Of course. We have facilities available for just such a situation. I'll have a room prepared for you. She pulled out a small pad and wrote a short hurried note then handed it to him. "I know this is hard for you so I want you to have this prescription filled at the pharmacy here. It's a new drug recommended for people in your position. Always remember, Chris, I'll help all I can."

She sat with him for a while, quietly holding his hand, before she left to arrange his room, check on his father, and find out about his mother's condition as well.

It was nearly three in the morning when a man in a dark suit, hat in hand, found Chris in the room Dr. Smith had provided. He was still wide awake. "Christopher Davis, I'm Dr. Johnson," he introduced himself cooly, all business. "Your mother suffered from deep wounds in her neck and face. We operated to repair the damage but her loss of blood was very severe and she is still critical. We are giving her massive transfusions but you must be prepared for the worst. If she improves by tomorrow you can see her then. I must go now. The nurses and Dr. Smith will keep you informed of any change in your parents conditions and will let you know when you can see them." Before Chris could say a word the doctor was gone. By the following morning his mother had lost

ground, but his father's status was unchanged. At his request, Dr. Smith graciously consented to drive Chris over to the site of the party where he picked up his car. He drove home for lunch then went straight back to the hospital. He saw both doctors again that day but there was no change. The next several days were boring repetitions. was able to see and talk to his mother three times but she never recovered from the terrible loss of blood and died a week after the accident. Dr. Smith again helped him as he made funeral arrangements, then the funeral, along with his continued vigil at his father's side. Within a few days after his mother's funeral, his father's brain began to show reduced activity. Twenty-nine days after the crash the EEG patterns flattened to nothing, but it was another three days before Chris could convice himslf to sign the release forms and allow the equipment be removed. father passed away late that same night.

His

Again, Dr. Smith was an invaluable help with the necessary arrangements. Chris asked her about insurance and other survivor benefits so she helped there also. She was surprised at how well he handled things and his understanding of the more technical aspects of what she explained. But as the bills came in it was soon evident to Chris that he was in financial trouble, even with the insurance and other monies he had received. It was now August and summer jobs were long gone. desperately wanted to attend college but the only way now was on a full scholarship, and it was too late for that. Plus, the apartment management had been very understanding while Chris was spending all his time at the hospital. Now they were asking for the rent.

Finally, during one of Dr. Smith's frequent visits, Chris broke down under the strain. He turned to her in tears. "Oh Andrea, what am I to