Part 6

“Not now,” Leroy said. “They need time alone. Give me your card. I’ll see if I can get you an exclusive interview tomorrow. Here is my business card.”

“Deputy Sheriff Leroy Scott. Say, you’re Krista’s father,” Harry Halls exclaimed. “I thought that was her leading the cheerleaders! How did she get involved in this?”

“It’s a long story,” Leroy sighed. “We’ll tell you tomorrow. Right now, we need to get the cheerleaders some food as they skipped supper to be here.” Leroy then turned the man around and gently pushed him towards the news van. The entire exchange was caught on tape.

The story of the Reese family’s plight and Jasmine’s resurrection swept through the nightly news as Fox shared the film.

The bed was wheeled back inside the hospital and taken back to the fifth floor and Requard Rehab. Jasmine and her family smiled and held hands. It was clear by the time they reached her room that Jasmine was worn out. Dr. Olsen introduced herself and smiled at the bewildered girl.

”You obviously remember your family and ‘Mickey’,“ Dr. Olsen declared. “What else do you remember?”

“The smile left Jasmine’s face. “Mr. Travers... he...” The tears began to trickle from her eyes as she struggled with the terrible memories.

“It’s okay, Jasmine,” Dr. Olsen soothed. “That monster is never going to hurt anyone again. You’ve been in a coma for the last two and a half years and tonight you woke up.”

“Two and a half years,” Jasmine gasped, then looked at her sisters and mother. Holly and Ivy did look older than she’d remembered and their mom was older too.

As Heather, Holly, and Ivy held onto Jasmine, Dr. Olsen gave her a condensed version of what had transpired during her coma. Jasmine was clearly upset that her mother had been sent to jail for killing Mr. Travers yet relieved to know she’d never have to fear him again.

“This Krista,” Jasmine said as she tried to assimilate all the news. “She was the cheerleader who gave me her pom-poms?”

“That was her,” Holly answered. “Ivy and I are living with her family. She’s sleeping on the sofa so we can share her bedroom. Her dad is a deputy sheriff and her mom is a nurse. They’re our foster parents so you’ll be joining us when you get discharged.”

“I’m staying with the Spades,” Heather said. “They’re now neighbors of the Scott family. There is a lawyer working on my criminal case to reverse or at least alter my sentence to time served. Once that happens, they promised the three of you will be back with me. The Spades are setting up a business and want us to live with them to help run it.”

“It looks like Jasmine has had it for tonight,” Dr. Olsen declared. “I think you’d better say good night.”

Jasmine sleepily smiled and nodded her head. Holly and Ivy gave their sister a big hug. When it came time to give her mother a hug, she paused which caused Heather to gasp fearfully. "Mommy, promise me you'll go home to get some rest."

Dr. Olsen and Heather gasped in surprise.

"I know you want to stay with me, but I'll be okay now," Jasmine smiled as she reached out for the hug.

"I promise to go home, you little imp," Heather smiled.

"Jasmine, get some rest," Dr. Olsen ordered. "Tomorrow we start working those weak muscles. The sooner you're able to get up and walk, the sooner you'll get to go home with your family. I'm also ordering a higher sugar drip for you as you'll need the extra omph. I'll see you in the morning."

Dr. Olsen left the room taking Holly and Ivy with her. Heather and Jasmine just hugged and cried for five minutes before Heather left. Stopping with Holly and Ivy by the observation window they noted Jasmine had already fallen asleep.

"What we witnessed tonight was nothing short of a miracle," Dr. Olsen declared. "I was hoping she'd respond just as she did when she heard your voices, but to have her wake-up, I honestly expected it to take weeks of daily stimuli to reawaken her. That she seems mentally alert and remembers is another miracle. There is usually some loss of memory and even sometimes identity. You'll need to make her mind think, ask her questions about your past to stimulate her mind and memory. If she doesn't recall something, don't worry. Just tell her the memory from your point of view, it might trigger her to remember it. As I said earlier, you need to be patient."

It was 8:00 pm when the Reese's finally joined the rest of the group in the main waiting room of the hospital. After being assured Jasmine was doing well and had fallen asleep, Jane put her foot down.

"This is not the place to discuss this, especially since everyone is hungry," Jane chided. Let's go to a nice restaurant to get some food. We can talk while we eat."

No one disagreed and soon everyone was in a vehicle heading off to a nice restaurant. As they entered the restaurant, several patrons and staff recognized Krista, Heather, Holly and Ivy. They had seen the live broadcast of Jasmine's awakening. The owner of the restaurant came out and greeted them, praising them for what they did to awaken Jasmine. He led them to a closed off private dining area where the fourteen people could sit together. He also told them he'd give them a ten percent discount as a show of his appreciation for their unselfish act.

While they waited for their food they talked. Everyone was delighted and excited by Jasmine's recovery although they knew it would take months until she physically recovered. They also discussed the possibility of a public interview.

"The TV and radio coverage of the cheering and Jasmine's awakening was broadcast live and I suspect it'll be on all the networks tonight" Leroy began. "We know the news about the Apple Tree scandal went nationwide. Since Jasmine was one of the 'lost' patients with Apple Tree I have no doubts what happened tonight will also go nationwide. Our phones are probably ringing off the hooks at home with requests for interviews. Harry Halls was with the TV crew that filmed the girls cheering 'Mickey'. He is a good man but he's also a persistent reporter. Harry was trying to make his way through the crowd to get to Jasmine but I cut him off. I explained the need for some privacy so the family can reconnect and he realized that was needed but he also needed to stay on top of the story. We exchanged business cards and he realized I was Krista's dad and that Krista had given Jasmine her pom-poms. To hold him off I told him I'd try to set up an exclusive interview for tomorrow. We'll need to make a public statement and I feel we can trust Harry to do a good interview without muck-racking. I'd like to have our lawyer, Kevin Stewart present to give correct details of what is going on legally. Heather, this is your family, what do you think?"

"I don't know," Heather replied clearly overwhelmed. "I'd like to have everyone just go away and let us have our lives back but I know that won't happen. If you feel we can trust this guy, let's go with him. At least a fair and honest interview should shut out any tabloid journalism. I think having Mr. Stewart there will help, besides which I have yet to meet him. If he's my lawyer, I want to meet him."

The discussion continued and moved on to various topics. Leroy excused himself from the table and called Kevin Stewart and at his suggestion Judge Watkins. With her present, there would be no doubts that harassment of the people intimately involved with reuniting the Reese family would be dealt with quickly and harshly. Another call to Dr. Olsen about their plan for an interview were approved and as long as there would be no audience, they could do the interview in the rehab gym. A call to Harry Hall set the interview up for 3:00 pm in the gym at the Requard Rehab Center.

Krista sat silently through much of the conversation, replying when appropriate but offering little. Jane and Pat noticed this since it was unusual for Krista to be reticent. Pat and Jane exchanged looks as they recognized the signs that Krista was once more thinking about something.

"Krista, speak your mind," Jane urged during a lull in the rampant conversations. That got everyone's attention and all conversation stopped and everyone looked expectantly at Krista.

Krista smiled sheepishly and blushed a bit. "Well, I've been thinking again. We're all close friends and we help each other out, we do a lot of things together and we live on Well's Point or soon will. We've got O'Briens, Scotts, Nelsons, Spades, Reeses and Masters. I was thinking we need a name to call ourselves. I don't think it would be fair to refer to all of us by one surname as none is superior to the others. Since we are a group of people united in friendship and for our common good, we're like a clan. At first I thought of calling ourselves the Wells Point Clan but that sounds too bigoted and we’re anything but bigots. I think we could collectively refer to ourselves as The Clan Wells Point. We won't be slighting any surname and we'll all be living as an extended family. I think The Clan Wells Point is appropriate and won't offend anyone."

The conversation flowed as they discussed the idea of forming a modern version of the ancient familial/tribal clan. They acknowledged it was already occasionally becoming awkward when they tried to identify themselves as a group. Of course, not everyone was present and they knew they'd need everyone onboard. Calls were placed to those not present and everyone liked the idea. It was unanimously agreed they'd be The Clan Wells Point.

As the meal finished up, everyone thanked the restaurant owner for the delicious meal and the discount, then they headed home to bed.

The phone was ringing when the Jane walked into the house. The answering machine was blinking. She left the phone ring but muted the ringer.

*****

Everyone went to church the next morning, the extended family meeting in the parking lot. Once introductions were made, Jane and Sheila, the clan matriarchs, led the twenty seven members of The Clan Wells Point inside to fill the front pews. With Jasmine, they would number twenty eight. Many people recognized Heather, Holly, and Ivy from the news reports.

Pastor Giles smiled to see the three new faces amongst the familiar ones. When it came time for the prayers, he included the Reese family. "Lord, we thank you once more for safeguarding Krista Scott on her journey to our flock. Once more she has stepped forward to repay in kind what you so graciously gave her. Without her efforts, the Reese family would not be re-united. We pray you pour your love and hope on this family as they put their lives in order. Jesus, you are wholly God yet wholly man. You understand human anger and reactions. That is why you can forgive grievous missteps by your children. Lord, you were angered when you saw the money-changers defiling the temple and you struck out at them in anger. Heather did the same, she struck out in anger. We forgive Heather for what she did in defense of her daughter and pray you give her the strength to forgive herself for that grievous act. Set her free from that burden so she can blossom into the woman and mother that will serve you and help others in their time of trials. In the Lord's name we pray, amen."

There was barely a dry eye in the congregation. After the service, virtually everyone came forward to welcome Heather, Holly, and Ivy to their new home. All three were overwhelmed by the warm acceptance. Heather hugged Rev. Giles and thanked him for his prayer. The entire clan returned to Wells Point for a picnic lunch, then headed into the hospital for the interview.

They arrived at 2:30 and headed up to Requard Rehab. Harry Halls and his crew were already setting up as Heather, Holly, Ivy, and the Spades went into Jasmine's room. Jasmine was awake and anxious about the interview, but Frank told her she didn't have to answer any questions unless she wanted to do so. He also explained that Harry Halls and crew would be the only news media present so it wouldn't be a circus scene. Heather stayed by Jasmine's bed as Krista entered. After exchanging hugs she began to introduce those members of The Clan Wells Point to the Jasmine. Jasmine was clearly bewildered by all the people but delighted they were all supportive and would provide a built in extended family.

Leroy and Dr. Olsen were talking to Harry to establish ground rules for the interview and to go easy on Jasmine. Kevin Stewart and Judge Watkins arrived fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. They took Leroy, Pat, Frank, Sarah, and Heather into the conference room. Heather was more than a bit intimidated by the presence of the judge.

"Relax, Ms Reese," Judge Watkins smiled. "I'm on your side. I signed your emergency medical release, granted your custody to the Spades, transferred Holly and Ivy to the Scotts, and transferred Jasmine here. I also sent the evidence Krista gathered to the state Attorney General's office."

"The assistant State DA and I met with the Judges and DA of Cecil County," Kevin said. "Together we basically read them the riot act. You admitted killing Mr. Travers, but from there the system failed. If you agree to plead guilty to manslaughter, Judge Rudolph and DA Thomas have agreed to accept that plea and sentence you to time served and three years probation. That means as soon as the paperwork is signed and processed, you'll be a free woman."

"Since you're living in Talbot County, I’ve already made special arrangements with the county probation office concerning your case. I'll assign Leroy as a special probation officer for you so you won’t have to report in through normal probation procedures,” Judge Watkins said. "Leroy will simply have to fill out a one page form once a month and fax it to the regular probation office. I understand you'll be working with the Spades as they start up their landing business so that means you are gainfully employed. Since part of your salary includes a place to live, that meets the requirement to have a suitable residence. As soon as your release is processed through the system, which will take between three to four weeks, your children will be released from foster care to you. Of course, if the Scotts and Spades agree, I don't see any reason the Scotts can't approve the Spades as full time baby sitters. I just happen to have a document here that will make that a binding legal agreement if the Scotts and Spades sign it."

Heather was once more overwhelmed as tears of joy flowed freely from her eyes. "Thank you, thank you," she blubbered. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for all your kindness."

"That's easy," Judge Watkins smiled. “Be a good mother and citizen. Then do as Krista does, pay it forward."

The Spades and Scotts signed the legal document authorizing the Spades as babysitters for the Reese girls until such time as their mother was able to resume full custody.

Soon everyone was gathered in the gym. Harry Halls began by introducing everyone and explaining their relationships. Next he recapped Krista's summer odyssey with her sisters, touching on the aid given by Spades and Nelsons. Then he went on to the adoption of Krista and her sisters by the Scotts and the subsequent saving of Kylie by the appearance of Carol O’Brien’s ghost. Next he covered Kylie and Krista coming out together as being transgendered. Then he reviewed the kidnaping by Jack Masters and Krista's decision to wreck the car as well as her hand to hand fight in which she was twice wounded but managed to kill the crazed man. Next he reported Krista's rescue of Sandi and her subsequent fostering with intent to adopt by Leroy and Pat. At that point he turned to Krista. "Now it's my pleasure to introduce this remarkable young lady, Krista Scott. Krista, can you tell me how you became interested in the plight of the Reese family?"

"Yes," Krista replied modestly yet with absolute self confidence. "After rescuing Sandi, I felt good, but something was bothering me but I couldn't put my finger on it. Then one morning in school it hit me. Mr and Mrs Spade explained the reason they helped us and let us go. It was because of the bad experience they'd had involving the Reese family. The girls had been split into different foster homes which is against policy. Then Jasmine was molested and crawled into a shell to escape the horror and guilt. Without a family to help her, she sank deeper into an unconscious state. Her mother was angry and upset the authorities didn’t even arrest the man who committed the rape. To make matters worse, that man was Jasmine’s foster parent. Frustrated, Heather confronted and killed the sub-human animal who hurt her daughter. She was jailed. The system had split apart the girls, allowed Jasmine to be raped, and sent Heather to prison. None of them had an advocate and were at the mercy of a lackadaisical bureaucracy. I felt compelled to attempt to reunite the family and right the wrongs that happened to them when the system that is supposed to protect people drastically failed. I asked some friends to find out all they could on the present whereabouts of the family. Then I gave the information we gathered to my dad, Deputy Sheriff Leroy Scott, and he carried it to Judge Watkins and attorney Kevin Stewart. With the help of state assistant Attorney General Amanda Frost they uncovered the fraud and deception at Apple Tree Quality Healthcare Systems. From there everything snowballed."

"Wow," Harry Halls said. "Am I right in saying that in three weeks you blew the lid off this scandal that had been going on for two and a half years?"

"Only partially," Krista replied humbly. "I just kicked the ball in from the sidelines to start the play. Others took what I began and ran with it."

"Krista, you are one amazing girl and I feel privileged to have met you," Harry declared as he extended his hand.

Krista smiled and shook his hand. "That's enough about me," Krista demurred as soon as the hand shaking was done. "You're here to interview the Reeses."

"Right you are," Harry smiled as he turned to Heather. "Ms Reese, how do you feel about all that's happened the last three days?"

"Overwhelmed but delighted," Heather answered. “On Thursday I was moping in prison worrying about my girls knowing I'd be locked up for at least twelve more years. Then Thursday evening I get notified I'm being granted an emergency medical release. They couldn't tell me more than that someone would be by to pick me up Friday morning. I was near a nervous breakdown as I wondered which of my girls was dying. Then Friday morning Leroy Scott arrived to pick me up. I could hardly believe what he told me. The first thing we did was to stop at Arundel Mills Mall for a new clothes and a make-over. Then we headed north to Cecil County to pick up Holly and Ivy. They hadn't seen each other in the two and half years since they were taken from me."

"That's not right," Harry shook his head. "Why did you lose custody?"

"My husband abandoned us," Heather explained unable to hide the bitterness in her voice. "We met right out of high school and we lived together while he went through college all the way to his doctorate. Jasmine, Holly, and Ivy were born two years apart. When he began teaching in college, he was embarrassed by my lack of advanced education and the fact we obviously had children while he was an undergraduate. I should have realized he was no good when he never told his parents about us. At the end of the 2004-2005 school year, he packed his bags and said he was going to a conference. I was too naive and believed him. When he didn't return I began to worry as the rent on our apartment was past due. When I contacted the school, they said he'd resigned and moved on to teach somewhere else but no one knew where."

Harry was upset. "Do you mean to say he abandoned you and the girls without a word or any money?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Heather stated with a bit of anger. "I was an orphan and in foster care for years until I graduated high school. From there I moved right in with Benny. I had no job skills and had never worked as I was pregnant when I graduated. I managed to relocate us to a cheap apartment and took the only job I could find that paid us enough to live on."

"That was as an exotic dancer," Harry stated. "How did that make you feel?"

"Terrible," Heather sniffled. "I wasn't a stripper, I always wore at least a bikini. The men were horrid and their comments degrading. I hated every minute of it, but I needed the money. Jasmine was eleven and watched her sisters while I worked evenings. I know it wasn't a good situation, but I couldn't afford a sitter. The girls started school and I even got them involved in cheering for Pop Warner Football. Things seemed to be looking up as I was able to start saving a bit of money. Then rather than talking to me, the school notified Children's Services about my job and that I was leaving Jasmine in charge. Children's Services never even spoke to me. They swooped into the apartment and took the girls. The first thing I knew about it was when I was arrested on stage at the club. Naturally, that cost me my job. Instead of keeping the girls together like they're supposed to do, they split them up in three different foster homes in three different schools. I was super PO’d but without a job there was nothing I could do. I was the bad person. Jasmine was upset because she felt she'd failed to take care of her sisters so she was super depressed. Then within a week Jasmine's foster father raped her. Even with the evidence they didn't arrest him because Jasmine had curled up in a catatonic state so she couldn't tell them what had happened. The scumbag told the cops SHE had crawled into his bed and she in effect raped him! I'd lost my girls and then the oldest was brutally raped and nothing was done. When the police refused to arrest him, I lost it. I did the only thing I could do. I took the law into my own hands and killed him."

"I can't say as I really blame you," Harry declared as Heather teared up and needed to collect herself.

"The entire affair was a travesty of justice," Judge Watkins declared drawing the attention from Heather so she could regain her composure. "When I learned what had happened I contacted the state Attorney General's office. The multiple failures of the system for this family are simply inexcusable. An investigation into suspected poor parenting must include interviews with the children, parents and teachers. That did not happen. The children are to be kept together in foster care. While this is sometimes not possible immediately, it should take less than a month to get the children together. In two and half years it didn't happen. Heather's trial was a travesty. She was so upset at what had happened to her children and with what she had done in a fit of anger, she confessed. The public defender was totally inept. He never disputed the DA's charge of Murder two and never even presented evidence of the extenuating circumstances of why Heather killed the man. With the help of the Attorney General's office I arranged to have all three children moved here and to have Heather released. It was when we couldn't find Jasmine the lid blew off the Apple Tree scandal. Cecil County Children's Services had never kept track of Jasmine although the assigned caseworker has inspections listed every month. But she never went or she would have discovered Jasmine wasn't in that rehab center."

"It sounds like this isn't over yet," Harry declared.

"It isn't," Judge Watkins agreed. "Too many people have lost faith in our legal system because of miscarriages of justice like this. I will do everything in my power to see the people responsible are punished to the fullest extent of the law and the State Attorney General agrees."

"Thank you, Judge Watkins," Harry stated. "Dr. Olsen, what happened with Jasmine yesterday?"

"It was a true miracle," Dr. Olsen stated. "For two and a half years Jasmine was in a cationic state unresponsive to all outside stimulus. When she heard the voices of her family she twitched just a tiny bit. But according to the records that were found that was the first movement she'd initiated. I told the family to try to think of anything Jasmine really liked that they could bring in that might help stimulate her to aid in her coming out of the coma. Heather decided to stay by Jasmine’s side while the Spades took Holly and Ivy to meet the Scotts at the Tidewater Titans Pop Warner football games. Leroy and Pat’s sons play and all four girls cheer for their age group. Krista cheers for the Midget squad. Because of the gunshot wounds she suffered during the kidnaping she’s still limited in her leaps but she is able to dance. Their coach set them up to do ‘Mickey’ with Krista taking the slightly less physically demanding part of Toni Basil. When Holly and Ivy saw the girls do the routine, they realized that was Jasmine’s favorite cheer routine. They explained Jasmine’s condition to the squad and they all agreed to come to the hospital to do ‘Mickey’ for Jasmine. When they called me I thought it might help so we hastily set everything up. Someone called radio station WCEI - 96.7 FM and WBOC-TV Channel 16 and told them there was going to be a breaking story at the hospital. You arrived here and filmed the rest. Those girls cheered their hearts out and that bouncy number gets to everyone. Jasmine felt the beat and heard the cheering. By repeating it like the girls did, they were able to progressively draw Jasmine out of her protective shell. She woke up. After two and a half years, she woke up.”

"Thank you, Dr. Olsen," Harry smiled as he turned to Jasmine. "Jasmine, do you feel up to talking?"

"A little,” Jasmine whispered as she blushed. For her this had been the first time she’d heard the details of what had happened to her family.

"Just tell me if you want to stop," Harry told her. "I don't want to upset you in any way. Can you tell us how you feel?"

"I'm still trying to understand," Jasmine answered softly. "I feel a bit like Rip Van Winkle, except I didn't grow a beard. I was asleep for years and the world changed. My sisters have grown, my mom was in jail, I'm in a hospital and so weak I can't even stand up. It's just hard to take it all in, after all, it hasn't even been twenty four hours since I woke up and I spent most of that asleep."

"I can understand your confusion," Harry smiled. "What do you think of the people who pitched together to help you?"

"I'm overwhelmed," Jasmine answered. "I knew Mr and Mrs Spade from school, but everyone else, they just jumped in to help us without ever meeting us. They pulled together and had me transferred here, got my mom out of jail. Got my sisters back together. It just seems surreal yet totally wonderful. I don't know how to thank them. Especially Krista for getting things started." Jasmine broke down in tears of joy as her equally tearful sisters and mother hugged her.

While the camera focused on the crying family, Harry made his way over to the Spades. "I understand you were the catalysts for this reunion?"

"Yes," Frank nodded as he wiped tears from his eyes. "My wife and I were teachers. Jasmine was in my class and Holly was in Sarah's class. They were good kids and we knew Jasmine was like a mother hen to her younger sisters. Being new to the school they faced a bit of bullying but Jasmine stopped it cold. When we learned Heather was working evenings and leaving the children alone, we had to obey state law and report what we knew to the school guidance counselor. From there things went downhill. Within a week the children were pulled from school and separated into foster homes, then Jasmine was molested. All the teachers were angered at the way Children's Services handled the case. They bypassed normal procedures and in my opinion raped the entire family. When Heather killed the man who had hurt her daughter we were appalled and felt guilty. We contacted her lawyer as we wanted to help her case but he ignored us. The entire judicial process Heather endured was a sham and travesty. Everything we tried to do to help was thrown back in our face or ignored. We were so disheartened neither of us felt like teaching so we handed in our notice of retirement for the end of the school year. We sold everything and bought a sailboat and began sailing. We went down around Florida and the Gulf coast to Mexico, then turned around and headed back."

"We enjoyed what we saw but the guilt we felt for what happened to the Reeses still gnawed at us yet we were helpless," Sarah picked up. "In June we were in Long Island Sound at Mystic Seaport. There we saw Krista, Lyndi, and Teri. They reminded us so much of the Reese sisters it brought back our frustration. We could see the girls wanted to go into the museum but were too poor to do so. We didn't hesitate and despite their protests we took them inside. Afterward they tried to slip away but we wouldn't let them. They told us a slight fib saying they were homeless and their mom had shipped out to see as a cook to earn enough money to get them a place so they could go to school in the fall. Krista was doing a good job of taking care of her sisters but we felt compelled to help. We bought them new clothes and fed them. We even had them sleep on the boat with us for two nights. But Krista was insistent we'd already done too much and we had a mooring lined up in Boston so we parted ways. We had no idea they were trying to walk to St. Michael's. We debated notifying the local authorities about their homelessness but after what happened to the Reeses, we were just too afraid for the girls."

"We left headed out for Boston but after half a day out we turned around, determined to stay in Mystic Seaport and let them live with us on the boat," Frank summed up the story. "We searched for days but never found them. We thought about notifying the authorities again but after a lot of soul searching, put our trust in the Lord to see the girls came to no harm. It was only after they had arrived here we learned they left the Mystic area to once more set off on their odyssey."

"We were delighted when Krista contacted us to tell us they were okay," Sarah finished. "It was only then we learned they had been trekking to St. Michaels. If we'd had known it from the start we would have brought them here. But Krista knew her mind and eventually had the help of Mr and Mrs Nelson to get here safe and sound. Everyone here thanked us for the little we had done for the girls and we were present at the girls' adoptions and baptisms. At first we were stunned when we learned Krista was working to get the Reese family back together, but then we realized it was simply a matter of Krista being Krista. As things started happening, we returned to Talbot County to do what we could to help. So far it's been to sign on as the trustees for Heather. We haven't told Heather or the girls this, but with their permission we'd like to adopt Heather as our daughter which would make Jasmine, Holly and Ivy our granddaughters."

Heather was simply stunned while Holly and Ivy squealed with girlish delight and ran to hug their pending grandparents. Jasmine smiled broadly as tears trickled down her cheeks. Sarah and Frank went over to Jasmine and hugged her and Heather.

"Kevin, get the paperwork together," Judge Watkins ordered as she dabbed at tears of happiness. "This is another adoption I want to approve ASAP." Then Judge Watkins looked sternly into the camera. "Benjamin Reese, I strongly suggest you come forward immediately. Deputy Sheriff Leroy Scott has sworn out a warrant for your arrest. I will be signing the arrest warrant charging you with several counts of child abandonment and endangerment as well as back child support and the medical expenses Jasmine has occurred at state expense. You see what your callous actions have done. It cost your family dearly and lead to the death of a man. The DA is also checking into the possibility of charging you with manslaughter. You can rest assured you will be hunted down. Thank you, Mr. Halls."

"You're quite welcome, your honor," Harry smiled, then turned to the camera. "We promised you an exclusive interview and we've delivered."

"Excuse me, Mr. Halls," Leroy stated as he stepped up. "Those of us who have been brought together by Krista are or will be living on Wells Point. Krista has dubbed us The Clan Wells Point. That's clan with a 'C' as in a Scottish clan. To us it's more than a name, it has meaning. Even though we are not all related by blood or marriage, we are all related through Krista's love. Wells Point is private property. The roads and coastline are privately owned. Anyone who tries to disturb our privacy will be warned. If they ignore that warning, they will be arrested for trespassing. Signs will be posted this week at the property boundaries. We understand that many people want to learn more about us and that at least for now we are newsworthy. That is why we decided to allow this private mass interview. We don't want phone calls or visits from those wanting an interview or just to see us. We will establish a Clan Wells Point post office box in our Post Office in Neavitt, MD 21652, where requests for interviews or anything else can be sent. Krista informs me we will be setting up a Facebook page and a YouTube page within the next month, so if you know what they are, keep looking for us there. We will review all mail and messages and if we are interested or feel you deserve a reply we will do so. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation."

"I'd like to thank The Clan Wells Point for their refreshing honesty, generosity and love," Harry Wells concluded. “We all wish Jasmine a speedy recovery and the rest of her family a happy life. This has been Harry Halls reporting from the Requard Rehab Center in Easton for WBOC-TV Fox Channel 16 in Salisbury, Maryland."

The camera man shut down the camera and the crew began packing up. Harry told everyone he was delighted with them and if they ever needed a friendly newsman, just to give him a call. Everyone but Pat, Krista, the Spades and Reeses left.

Krista smiled at Jasmine and squeezed her hand in friendship. "We're the same age and I'm sure the school will allow us to take all our classes together. That is if you don’t mind starting in the seventh grade? I was held back in first grade because I was so small so I’m a year behind my age mates. Since you were out of it for two and a half years, restarting in seventh will give you a better chance to adapt to being in the higher grades and you won’t have to make up as much work. I'll help you keep up with the work until you're able to do so on your own, then we can work together."

"Thanks Krista," Jasmine replied. "I was a bit worried about missing two and half years and was afraid they'd put me back in fifth grade. You're really amazing. Did you really walk all the way from Massachusetts with your sisters?"

"Not quite," Krista answered. “We were half-way through New Jersey when I came down with a nasty cold. I could barely keep my balance as we walked along the road. Then I stumbled out onto the road and a car side-swiped me. Mrs. Nelson was the driver and when she saw how sick I was she wanted to take me to the hospital but I refused because I was afraid we'd be split up. They took us in and nursed me back to heath, then drove us down here."

"Someone said you came out with someone else but I'm sure I didn't catch it all," Jasmine stated. "Are you a lesbian?"

"No, I have a boyfriend," Krista said. "Kylie and I came out because we're transgendered. That means we are girls in our hearts, minds, and souls but have a birth defect that gave us male bodies."

"No way you're a boy," Jasmine gasped.

"Exactly," Holly laughed. "Krista is a girl. She gave up her neat bedroom for Ivy and I and she's done all these other neat things too. She loves to help others."

"Krista, if you don't want to answer this, please feel free to just say so," Heather asked. "Did you kill the man that kidnaped you?"

"Yes," Krista nodded gravely. "It was him or us and I was the only one capable of stopping him. My boyfriend Tony was hurt and bleeding cause he'd been pistol whipped when he stuck up for me. His mom Rachel was a basket case because she knew he was going to kill us all. She was so bad she could barely drive. Oh, I guess I should tell you the bad guy was her husband and Tony's dad who had just killed two prison guards and escaped. Anyway, I had just learned how to drive our on our farm so I volunteered to drive. That pissed him off but he let me. I did all right too, drove right at the speed limit so no one would get suspicious. But I knew I had to stop him so when I saw a tractor trailer bearing down on us to pass, I swerved right in front of him. He hit us and we spun and flipped several times. When we stopped we were upside down. I was bleeding but unbuckled myself and crawled into the back of the station wagon where he was. It was pretty well smashed up back there but he was still alive. When I tried to take the gun from him, we struggled. I found what turned out to be the broken rear window wiper and jammed it in his face. Luckily it hit his eye and sank through into his brain killing him. Unfortunately he pulled the trigger and the gun emptied itself. I was hit in the arm and leg. I just did what I had to do to protect the others. That's what you did too. Although it hurts God when one of us kills another, he knows what's in our hearts. If our motives were good and we ask for his forgiveness, he'll do so. The hard part is to accept his forgiveness and go forward with our lives doing what we can when we are able to help others just like I've helped your family and Sandi. That doesn't mean I still don't have nightmares. But just like the man who hurt Jasmine, the man I killed was an evil person who intentionally hurt others. I stopped him when no one else would or could before he could hurt anyone else. I don't like what I did, but I have no doubt that if I had to do it over again, I'd still kill him."

"I can really see why everyone likes you," Heather smiled. "You really are a genuine caring person. You're also the toughest girl I've ever met. Thank you for all you've done to get us back together... and don't go denying it, young lady. You got the ball rolling after it was stuck for two and a half years. I hope we can live up to the example you've created."

"Thank you," Krista demurred. "I do try to do good whenever I can but I'm not a saint. I make mistakes and occasionally put my foot in my mouth. I look forward to being friends with all of you. Jasmine, you need to get better. We're planning on having a neat Halloween Dance and I'd love for you to be there, even if you can't dance yet."

After a bit more conversation, Pat and Krista headed home.

It was about nine when the Spades dropped Holly and Ivy off. They had to get a good night's sleep so they were rested to start their new school tomorrow.

*****