Jules sat on the edge of the counter, a dazed look on her face. She brought her hand up to her heart, trying to still its wild beating. A tear slipped out of the corner of her eye.
Kevin reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Jules?" His voice held genuine concern.
"I don't know. Yes... no. I'll be okay. I just need to wrap my brain around this. What is she doing now? Is she clean? Do you know?"
"No, I mean, last I heard she was a few months clean. But Jules, that was twelve years ago."
"Do you have contact information for her?"

Jules tossed and turned for a while before flinging her covers off. She swung her feet down into the soft carpet and sighed, rubbing her forehead. After flicking on her bedside lamp, she reached for the leather-backed book. She began to thumb through its pages before setting it down again. Jules wrapped her flannel robe around her and pattered quietly down the stairs, pausing to sit on the landing. She huddled there in the dark, burying her chin in her knees with her arms wrapped around her legs. A gentle hand touched her shoulder and she almost jumped out of her skin.

Jules and Duncan pulled into the hospital parking garage right at 1:00 in the afternoon. The drive there had been pleasant. It was late March in Texas, and the wild daisies and verbena were already popping up along the freeway. They were speckled with Indian paintbrushes and glimpses of waxy buttercups. Bluebonnets would be making their virgin appearance soon.
Jules slung her purse over her shoulder. She chatted cheerfully with Duncan while they walked towards Margaret's rooms. "Hey Grandad, could we drive to Burnet next month for the Bluebonnet Festival? Please?"

Minutes had turned to hours, and Martin was still stretched out on his cot in the corner of the little hospital room. Jules took a peek at him. He was sound asleep, his black hair making his face look even more pale than it already was. She noted the dark circles forming around his eyelids with a bit of concern. He had never been able to handle stress very well, and this was the worst she had seen him. If he wasn't careful to rest he'd need a caretaker, too. She heard a sigh from behind her, and turned her attention back towards the hospital bed. She spoke softly. "Margaret?"

Jules was up bright and early Monday morning. She sang while she made waffles and homemade syrup. The sun was shining brightly through the windows. The first buds of spring would soon be making their appearance in the rose bushes in the backyard.
"Jules?"
"Follow your nose!"
"Mm, I thought I smelled something delicious. How sweet of you to get up early and make me breakfast, Chickadee." He patted her on the cheek.
"My pleasure, Grandad. I set the breakfast table already, and I only have two or three waffles left before I'm finished."

**CHAPTER 1: NEW BEGINNINGS**

"Grandad, will you play with me?"
Duncan smiled at the little girl while he closed his book. His voice was chipper, as per usual. "Of course! What do you want to play?"
She gave him a mischievous look. "Will you play dolls with me?"
He grinned. "Of course, Sweetheart."
The minutes passed by far too fast while Duncan spoke in a high voice, and dressed Only Hearts Club dolls many times over. The two were so engrossed in their play that they didn't hear the knock on the front door, nor did they notice when the visitor let himself in.

The gate that we enter is narrow
The passersby are few
The clouds above us are threatening
The fog is thickn’ing gloom

The brothers around us are fainting
Our blood is mixed with our sweat
The air is fraught with dark danger
The ground with pitfalls and snares.

But, hark! The cries of angels
Lo! The sound of song
Hear the voice of heavenly anthems
Ring out on higher ground.

Don’t give up, my brother
Stay strong, my sister dear
Though the war around is raging
Fight on to higher ground.

Not only can you rejoice but you ought to rejoice: you are commanded to rejoice. Always. Unconditionally. No circumstance forfeits the commandment to rejoice. Rejoice always, and again, rejoice.

Oh Lord my God I stand right here,
Do cleanse me now and draw me near.
I pray you'd purify my soul,
Please sanctify and make me whole.

Amazing Lord, oh wondrous God,
To Thee all glory and all laud.
Your mercy sav'd me from my sin.
A gift of grace given to men.

All glory be to Thee dear Lord.
Teach me to wield your holy sword,
Help me instruct and edify
Your image Lord to magnify.