7th Heaven, Season 5

Lucy:
Your mother spoke to me.

Mike:
What? That's great! She spoke? That's unbelievable!

Lucy:
She told me she wants you to put her in an institution. It's not great!

Mike:
Why would my mom want that?

Lucy:
I think the reason she hasn't been talking is because she thought that not talking to you would drive you away or make you put her away.

Mike:
I don't understand.

Lucy:
I think your mom blames herself for your suicide attempt and your father's death.

Mike:
She said that?

Lucy:
She didn't have to. A couple years ago, a friend of mine died in a car accident. She was on her way to pick me up, and the next thing I knew, she was dead, and her sister was in the hospital. I was convinced that the accident was all my fault. I was so sure that the accident was all my fault, I couldn't even bring myself to go to her funeral. I kept thinking that if she hadn't been on her way to pick me up, she'd still be alive. I felt so guilty. To be honest, even today, I still feel a little guilty.

Mike:
What are you getting at?

Lucy:
If my friend were alive, the one thing I would want her to hear from her is forgiveness. I would want her to tell me that it was not my fault. Maybe that's selfish, I don't know. And I know that my experience is nothing compared to what you and your mom have been through, but guilt is guilt, and guilt is a very powerful thing.