Sitting on the couch together, they were quiet.

Runa stared at the wall.

"What am I going to tell Doctor Grey?"

"You aren't going to tell him anything," Mendalie said. "You aren't going back there. He's a quack!"

"You don't know anything!" Runa yelled.

"I know a lot. I know you aren't you."

"You don't know what's going on," Runa said.

"Then tell me," Mendalie said. "He may be a counselor. But I'm your friend."

Runa started to cry. "I'm sorry. I've just been going crazy, Mendie."

Mendalie wrapped her arms around her. "It's okay dollface. I'm here."

"I can't do this alone," she said. "I'm so lonely. I need Brian."

"No," Mendalie said, pulling back and looking at Runa, eye to eye. "No, that's the last thing you need. You have me. And I'm good enough right now."

They sat there for a minute.

Houdini jumped up on Runa's lap. She started petting the cat gently.

"Why don't we go to my parents' house for Christmas breakfast tomorrow?" Mendalie said, smiling at her.

Runa smiled and nodded her head.