Although she tried to drown herself in schoolwork over the next few days, Nicole constantly checked in with her mom. She was relieved when her dad was allowed to go home and she wept silently when he finally spoke to her on the phone. His speech was slurred but he was adamant that she should not return to Jamaica until her semester ended. When the therapist said that he was responding well and it appeared that he was on his way to a full recovery, Nicole was relieved! she could hardly wait for the semester to end! She would be on the first flight out. She would throw her arms around her dad and hug him tightly… or so she thought.