Good to see you're still with us.

His voice is about as warm as day-old oatmeal.

Don't you ever, ever do anything like that again.

Anger fills her eyes. Anger, and knife-edged hatred. So much to say, no way to say it. "I ...I...I won't, Daddy.

"I.

think it's best no one outside this room hears about this incident.

Your mother would be very hurt.

He straightens, waits for an answer.

The tears in Kaeleigh's eyes reflect denial, but she doesn't dare let it spill. "Whatever you say." She turns her head away.

You need to get up now and clean up this mess.

He gestures toward last night's vomit.

And I will be waiting for your apology.

497.

Almost a Week Since Kaeleigh tried to off herself, and believe it or not, she did apologize to Daddy. She stood, head tilted toward **

the floor, shoulders stooped like an old woman. "Sorry, Daddy. I was stupid."

She cleaned up the floor, washed herself, her clothes, her sheets. But she couldn't wash away the indelible stench of Daddy.

She wore it to school. To play rehearsal.

To stolen moments with Ian. I watched **

as she tried to put "the incident" behind her. But anyone who ever noticed her has to have noticed a change inside her.

She's no longer afraid to die. What she's afraid of is living, accepting the status quo.

498.

Daddy Acts Like it never happened. It's how he deals with any trauma in his life.

The accident. The incident.

Mom's winning the election.

Daddy simply moves forward. One day, one night at a time.

Hannah has stopped by several times to check up on Kaeleigh.

She always says the same thing: Your daughter needs help, Ray.

The reasons behind the attempt are still there. It could happen again.

Daddy's answer is the same: It was just the stress of the election.

Now it's over, she'll be fine.

Then he'll change the subject, to one he finds much more appealing.

You've had sometime to think things over. I hope you've reconsidered. Kay and I are married in name only.

Hannah remains steadfast.

You're still married. It was a mistake to get involved. I'm sorry, Ray.

499.

The Last Time She dropped by, Daddy wasn't home yet. But Kaeleigh was.

I listened in best I could.

Hannah pounced.

Kaeleigh, I don't know what's going on in your life to make you decide it isn't worth living. But I'm pretty sure it has **

nothing to do with the election. If it had something to do with your father and me, that's all over, and I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt --.

"No. It wasn't that, so quit blaming yourself, if that's what you're doing."

Then she made up a half lie. "There's this boy who I like, but I know it won't work out, no matter how much I want it to. But I'm over that now. I'm okay."

Just then Daddy arrived. I vanished as he stormed into Kaeleigh's room.

But I could hear every word.

Hello again, Hannah. As you can see, my daughter is doing well. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't drop by unannounced.

Kaeleigh, please go start dinner.

500.

He Is a Cold-Hearted Bastard That's for sure. And suddenly I desperately need to know why.

Did he not see Kaeleigh, screaming for help, the only way she could-- wordlessly, helplessly, no one to hear?

I don't know how to get hold of my grandmother, and considering the reception she got from me last time, I sincerely doubt she'll call back anytime soon.

But somewhere, buried deep in Kaeleigh's journal, is an address for Theodore Gardella. Grandpa Teddy. (Pu-lease!) He lives less than two hours south, in Calabasas.

I think it's time his granddaughter paid him a visit. But first she has to find a ride. I easily think of exactly one person and pick up the phone. "Hello? Is Brittany there?"

501.

Operative Word: Easy Brittany is quite simply the most easy-to-manipulate person ever.

She had planned to see a movie with Joel, but when I told her my **

grandpa was really sick, she softened.

And when I threw in the part about **

filling her gas tank and buying lunch, I almost had her right there.

Okay, but only if Joel can come too. We're a thing now, you know **.

Yeah, and if she isn't careful, there will be a little thing growing inside her.

If I can persuade her this easily, her steady "thing" should have no trouble talking **

her into whatever. But hey, that's not my problem. And now I've got my ride.

I MapQuest directions, extract eighty bucks from my private stash, pop **

a single Oxy to steady my nerves, go to meet Brittany and Joel.

502.

Between Brittany's Driving And a traffic accident jam, the hundred- mile trip takes us over two hours.

Two plus hours of hip-hop, Brittany giggling, and Joel's immature, totally not sexy innuendos. Aaagh!

I'm mostly silent, filling with dread.

What if he won't see me, let alone tell me the things I need to know?

Not like we've ever done anything but exchange a letter or two.

So what kind of sick is your grandpa?

asks Joel.

We won't catch something, will we?

"Well, I don't think you want to come inside. You can drop me off, go have lunch--on me, remember?--and come pick me up. I don't have to stay that long, just make sure he's got his medicine."