I like your story, but I think it would be improved by Mary giving some hint of what Johannah has done to make her mother think she's on drugs. There's a few other changes you need to make, eg you finally lay down on the bed. Howards speech needs adjusting to sound more adult (unless my being british is getting in the way) so he would for instance be more likely to say "She should have more faith in you than that" Overall though, it's got a ring of truth about it that makes for interesting reading. Shanna :-) just my opinion.