Jenny was smiling. "Mommy, mommy!" shouted Spike, as he ran to her. She gave him a big hug.
"So what happened?" asked Rob.
"They said I could be Spike's guardian. Apparently his parents died when he was young and he came up through the foster care system. We have to stay here until after they let Hannah out, though."
"How is Hannah?"
"She's fine. I saw her for a minute or two. I think she's looking forward to getting out."
"I don't have to be a grownup do I mommy?" Spike interjected.
"Not for a long time, sweetheart." Jenny answered. "Thanks for taking care of him, Rob."
+++++
"I think you should do it." Hannah answered.
"Why?"
"You need to break with the past, to acknowledge to yourself that Larry is gone, and I think this would help. Plus it's what Leticia wants."
++++++++
"So, what did you end up doing?" Hannah asked Jackie.
"Keith took him hunting. He needed to get away from his dad and concentrate on something other than his gender for a while. He seems a little calmer now, and hopefully he'll focus on his species while he makes the psychological transition. I want to kill his old man, though. Anyone who would encourage someone else to hit the random button is an idiot."
"Maybe we should find the new girl a cute pantherboy?" Hannah smiled mischievously.
Jackie snorted. "Well, I guess there is a precedent for that working, but let's not rush things along too quickly."
+++++
"So, are you going to make it out in time for the wedding?" Lateisha asked Hannah.
"If I have to knock down the walls of this place with my head." Hannah answered.
"The bridesmaids--don't think you're getting out of that--are going to be wearing the cutest flower arrangements!" Lateisha laughed enthusiastically. She would be leaving the park the day after the wedding, and hoped her last day would be special for her and the friends she had made.