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Tamara opened her eyes and looked around her. She immediately knew she was in a hospital but for the moment couldn't recall why she was there. "Was I in an accident?" she wondered. Soft moans escaped from her lips as realization hit her. Raising herself from the bed, she cried, "My God! I tried to end my life!" The picture of her sitting on the edge of her bed with the pills in her hand flashed vividly through her mind. "I didn't mean to do it!" she told the empty room. "I didn't mean to!" Wild sobbing erupted from her as she covered her face with her hands and burrowed her head in the pillow.

She heard the door opening but kept her head turned. She couldn't face anyone...she was too embarrassed. "Mrs. Parker," an unfamiliar voice said, "I'm Dr. Miller. Would you like to talk to me?" Tamara slowly turned and looked into the kindly face. She had thought she would see contempt in his eyes, but there was none. Drying her eyes, she voiced the one fear that had gnawed at her since she had awakened. "Where are my children, doctor?" she asked. "Are they all right?" He assured her that they were fine, that her husband had them. Relief surged through her! "How did I get here?" she asked. The doctor explained that Steven had brought her there, that her stomach had been pumped and that physically she was fine. "However, " he said, "I suggest you seek help in finding out why you decided to try and take your own life. I can make an appointment for you with one of the doctors here in the hospital." He went on to tell her that all cases of attempted suicide had to be reported to the police and that someone from that department would be by later to see her. Noticing her obvious distress, he patted her hand, assuring her that everything would work out. She must rest now and he would drop by later.

As the doctor turned to leave, the door opened and Steven stood there. Looking at Tamara with disgust and contempt, he exchanged a few words with the doctor, then approached the bed where she lay. Tamara knew she would get very little in the way of understanding from him. Before she had a chance to speak, he angrily demanded, "What the hell did you think you were doing, Tamara? Didn't you give a thought to our children sleeping in the next room? What if I hadn't dropped by and they had found you? Do you realize the effect that would have had on them?" Tamara placed her hands over her ears but she could still hear his anger. She knew every word he said was true but should he be entirely without blame? She opened her mouth to tell him this but before she could, a policeman walked into the room. Introducing himself to her and Steven, he proceeded to take a notepad from his pocket. He asked her several questions and when he asked about the children, Steven interjected. "I have them," he said, "and if I have my way, she'll never get them back!" Turning abruptly, he left the room.

Tamara was frightened by Steven's coldhearted outburst. "Can he do that?" she inquired of the policeman. He told her that it was a matter for the courts, that it was out of his juridsiction. Thanking her for her cooperation, he left the room.

Tamara felt totally alone as she stared into space. Steven's words echoed in her mind again and again. "Not have my boys?" she thought. "He can't do this! I'm a good mother, despite Steven's opinion of me! But what if he can do this? What if those in authority agree with him?" She could feel the onset of panic creep up over her. Her heart pounded as she fumbled for the buzzer and pressed it. When a nurse appeared, she begged, "Help me! Please help me!"

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