The Truth Will Out

Chapter 10

Amanda woke to the sound of the hospital machines beeping in a constant rhythm and slowly looking around then remembered where she was. She was in the Los Palmas hospital in California due to a gunshot wound that nearly killed her!

Dotty and Lee had been in and out of her room daily since she'd first awakened from her surgery. Amanda of course had lots of questions for Lee but he assured her that he would tell her later about the incident when she was stronger and not to worry about anything but her recovery.

Amanda then noticed Lee asleep in the chair next to her bed. Gingerly reaching out for the water pitcher on the bed stand near her she sighs leaning back against the pillow frustrated because she can't reach it!

Now what? she muses. Looking at the cup which is a bit closer to her, she tries again only this time she knocks the plastic cup to the floor waking Lee immediately!

Leaning in to kiss his wife he smiles and states, "Morning, Beautiful."

Amanda chuckles in spite of her pain and replied, "Oh, my. Are you on any meds yourself because I must look a wreck. My hair's all mussed up and-"

She then takes the top edge of her gown to look at the chest injury but Lee gently takes her hand away and shakes his head responding, "Don't. Don't go there. You're gonna be fine. You're as beautiful to me now as you were the day I met you. Don't ever forget that, Amanda."

Amanda sighed and swallowed hard remarking, "When I think about these last few days and what you and Mother must have gone through-"

Lee sighed and answered, "It's nothing compared to what you've been dealt with, Sweetheart. I never thought you'd be in this kind of situation. It's what I've always tried to keep you from with our job and now, here you are-"

Amanda shook her head and clasped her husband's hand tightly as she noticed Lee's eyes watering as he turned away and she stated softly, "Hey...look at me. Lee, c'mon. Look at me."

Lee swallowed hard as he looked back at her and tears were falling from his eyes as he whispered, "I'm so sorry, Honey. I'm so sorry."

Amanda reached out and cupped his face wiping his tears away with her thumbs gently and answered, "You didn't do this, Lee. It was an accident. Plain and simple, all right? Am I upset? You bet. But you had nothing to do with it. I know that and I want you to stop blaming yourself for something you had no control over, okay?"

Lee slowly sighed and nodded remarking, "Yeah, you're right. But your mom and I were really scared, Honey."

Amanda nodded and replied, "I know. But I'm here which proves that I'm one of the lucky ones that can beat the odds, huh?"

Lee stated smiling, "You bet. Now, what was that hitting the floor earlier?"

Amanda shrugged and replied, "Oh, I was thirsty and tried to get the water but couldn't reach it so I then went for the cup and-"

Lee nodded chuckling as he responded, "I get it. Here, you can use mine."

He poured his cup halfway and Amanda carefully took it from him and sipped.

Putting the cup on the stand she remarked, "Thank you. Where's Mother?"

Lee shrugged and answered, " Hopefully getting some sleep. We've been taking turns as you know but you were asleep when I sent her out of here at midnight-"

Amanda shook her head querying, "Midnight? What about hospital rules and visiting hours?"

Lee cleared his throat commented, "We have your doc's special permission to be here and you know I have connections everywhere-"

Amanda sighed and remarked, "Yes, but you need your rest as well. That chair looks awfully uncomfortable."

Lee then winks at Amanda and points to the other side of the room replying, "That's what cots are for, Honey."

Amanda is about to reproach him but as she's holding his hand she notices the gold band on his ring finger and swallows hard remembering their new status and asks carefully, "Uh, Lee? How long have you been wearing that? Have you been wearing that just when we're alone together, or-"

Lee shook his head not following her at first and then saw her glance down at his ring finger and did a double take! Taking a deep breath in and letting it out slowly he uttered, "Oh, my God!"

Amanda patted his hand as she commented, "Sweetheart, it's all right. Maybe Mother didn't notice it. After all, it's been hectic here and-"

Lee broke free of Amanda and stood up to pace and shook his head stating, "I guess I wasn't aware I still had it on. I'm sorry, Honey-"

Dotty then suddenly entered startling them both and stated firmly, "As well you should be! I never thought in my wildest dreams that my daughter would ever be dating a married man! I want an explanation Young Man, and I want it now!"

TBC