Lying there on the bed, I watched Gracie dial another number. Oh God no, it was Mark's phone number. I heard Gracie tell him that I was ready to be picked up and taken to the clinic. I tried to move. Gracie, who was watching me, sat down on the bed and began stroking my hair. "Don't worry Allison," she told me. "Mark said when all this is over, I could have you forever."
Able to move just a little my eyes narrowed just enough to let her know I was pissed. She kept reassuring me I wouldn't feel any pain and that in time I would learn to love my new life. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. When Gracie returned, she brought in two paramedics with her. She told them I had a stroke and I need to go to a clinic that could help me.