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of the time. I've probably gained ten pounds and it's only been a couple of weeks."
     
    "I love this kitchen," Ann said, looking around. "I can just imagine sitting at the table on a winter evening, with a fire crackling, and watching the deer outside in the snow."
     
    "That sounds wonderful," Emily said wistfully, wishing it could be.
     
    When they had finished the dishes, Mrs. Gundlach came in to cut thick slices of apple pie for everyone while Emily poured coffee.
     
    "Where did you go to medical school?" Ann asked Joseph, once they were all seated again.
     
    "The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville," he replied.
     
    Emily stopped chewing for a moment and stared at her plate.
     
    "I was there for four years before my residency." He frowned a little, looking at Emily.
     
    "That must have been an interesting hospital to be at for med school," Ann said. "It's a beautiful area."
     
    "Yes, it is," he said, still looking at Emily. Ann followed his glance, and saw that Emily had become pale.
     
    "Excuse me, I need more coffee," Emily said, quickly getting up and going into the kitchen.
     
    "I'm ready for a refill, too. Would anyone else like some?" Ann asked as she rose. When she entered the kitchen, she saw Emily standing at the kitchen table with her eyes closed. Ann walked over and placed a hand on Emily's shoulder.
     
    "Are you all right?" she asked with a concerned tone.
     
    Emily started at her touch and turned to her. For an instant Ann sensed Emily was about to say something, but then her brown eyes seemed to cloud over.
     
    "I'm fine. I guess I just ate too much, upset my stomach a little."
     
    They rejoined the others, and Ann poured more coffee for everyone. The conversation had moved on. Emily noticed that Joseph's attention remained mostly on his parents for the remainder of the evening. When Ann was ready to leave, she thanked the Gundlachs for their hospitality. Mrs. Gundlach gave her a hug, and said, "Please come visit us anytime, my dear."
     
    Emily walked Ann to her truck. "I'm really glad you were able to join us tonight," she said sincerely.
     
    "I am, too. It was a nice evening." She opened the door of the Toyota, and then stopped. "Are you sure you're all right, Emily?"
     
    "I'll be fine," she said quietly.
     
    As Ann drove back to her apartment, she wondered what had really happened to Emily this evening. She felt troubled, but wasn't sure why.
     
    When Emily went back into the house, the Gundlachs had settled in the living room. She said goodnight to them, and went upstairs. After she had undressed and climbed into bed, she lay there staring into the dark. Emotions she had been able to run from earlier caught up with her. She fought back tears. 'I will not start this again,' she said to herself. 'Damn you, Caroline... I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.'
     
    It seemed like ages before she drifted off.
     
     
Emily was standing in front of a large institutional-looking edifice. She approached the front door, cupping her hands around her eyes to peer through the glass panels in the door.  Two men in white coats came around the corner to stop her. She went around the other way, searching for another door. She finally found one, but people in white coats started chasing her. Every stairwell, every hallway had more white coats trying to keep her out. She ran until she was exhausted, and they caught her, pinning her to the ground while she struggled….
     
     
     

Chapter 8
     
    S unday morning, the Gundlachs had gone to church, so Emily had the house to herself for a while. She showered and dressed then went down for a quiet cup of coffee. She couldn't believe the irony of meeting someone up here who recognized her. She tried to ignore the fact that she didn't believe in coincidences.
     
    She had gone to her room to study when the Gundlachs returned. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
     
    "Come in," she called out.
     
    Joseph opened the door and poked his head in.