CHAPTER 11

Jeremy awakes the next morning with a slight headache. He reaches for his pocket watch to find out the time. Nine o'clock. "Nine o'clock!" he thinks he shouts, but really it is only a little more than a whisper. He sits up on the side of the bed, holding his head in his hands. After a few more minutes, he stands and gets dressed, running a comb through his hair before leaving his room.

Coming into the parlor, he sees Dr. Wright sitting on the settee reading a medical book. She looks up and says, "Well, good morning. Jeremy, you don't look so good."

"Morning. I have a little bit of a headache. I'll be fine after a cup of coffee." He looks around the room, "Where's Candy? She sleeping late, too?"

"Candy and Julie walked down to the park. Candy said she has a lot of thinking to do and she thought some fresh air would help her think better."

"Why didn't she wake me? I would have gone with her to the park," Jeremy says.

"She said you got in about midnight and she didn't want to bother you, since you'll be leaving later today."

"Since she told you I was leaving, did she say if she was going to be leaving with me?" he asks.

"No, she didn't. I think that may be what she wants to think about. Jeremy, don't be too hard on her. She has a lot on her mind and a big decision to make," Allyn states.

"I know she does, but to me there is only one decision that I will accept. Allyn, I want her to come home with me. Forget about that surgery, it's too risky."

"But she has to make that decision for herself. You can't make it for her."

Jeremy nods his head. "I know. Wish I could. Well, I'm going to grab a cup of coffee, then maybe I'll walk over to the park also."

When Jeremy gets to the park, he only sees Julie. No Candy. "Where's Candy? She's not out here wondering around all alone, is she?" Jeremy asks anxiously.

"No, relax Jeremy. I hope you know I wouldn't let her do that. She's over at that church across the way. She said she needed God to help her make the biggest decision of her life."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't meaning to sound like I was accusing you of anything. You've been a good friend to Candy and I appreciate your help." He keeps looking over at the church. "Do you think she's had enough time to think? I'd like to be the one to go get her."

"I'm sure she'd like that. If you're going to bring Candy back to the house, I'll go on home. See you there."

Jeremy very nervously enters the church. He sees Candy kneeling at the altar with her head leaning on the railing. He hears her crying. Quietly, he walks up closer. Candy lifts her head and asks, "Is that you Jeremy?"

"Yes, it is. Did you smell me again?" he chuckles. "I hope you don't mind me walking you back to the house." He kneels down beside her and takes her hand in his. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, no, and I don't know," she replies as she tries to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"What?" Jeremy asks confused.

"Yes, I smelled you, no, I don't mind, and I don't know if I'm all right or not," she answers as a new batch of tears start again.

"So, I take it you haven't made your decision yet?" Jeremy says as he squeezes her hand.

Shaking her head she replies, "No, I haven't." She takes the handkerchief that Jeremy places in her hand and she dries her tears. "Jeremy, I don't want to disappoint you, but I really want this surgery. I want to see again. Can't you understand my side?"

"I do understand Candy, but I don't want to take a chance of losing you. Nothing is worth that. Can't you understand my side?" he asks.

"I do understand."

"Candy, I don't want to make this any harder on you," he gulps. "I want you to do what you think is best for you. If you are determined to have this surgery, then I'll accept your decision. So, forget about me and do what you. . .want," he says as his voice breaks.

"You mean it, Jeremy? You'll be here for me?" she cries.

"I didn't say that. I said I'll accept your decision, but no, I won't be here. I can't. I'm sorry, Candy. I still plan on going back to Seattle."

"Jeremy, what happened to you being here by my side and helping me through this no matter what?"

Jeremy takes her in his arms and lets her cry as he cries, too. "I'm so sorry, Candy, I want to stay and help you. I really do. I know I'm letting you down and it's killing me. I'm sorry, but I won't. . .I can't . . .I can't watch you die."

"Oh Jeremy!" she sobs.

"Just remember, I love you. I'll love you always."

"I love you, too."

As Jeremy comes out of his room with his trunk to go to the Shamus O'Flynn, he sees all three ladies, Candy, Allyn, and Julie standing by the door with their trunks packed and waiting. "What's going on?" he asks.

Candy holds her hand out for Jeremy to take. As he takes her hand, she says, "I can't do this surgery without you by my side. I'm not that brave. So, I'm going home with you and I'll give this blindness thing a chance. But I want you to know that I'm not going to stop looking for a way to see again. Maybe something will come along that's not so risky."

Jeremy gives her that big smile of his that she loves, "Candy, I'll even help you look. Thank you. Thank you for changing your mind. I promise to help you with anything you need me to."

"I'm going to hold you to that promise, Mr. Bolt," she giggles.

"Julie, you're coming with us?" Jeremy asks.

"Yes, I thought it was time I give my brother a visit. Won't he be surprised?" she laughs.

"Well, we better be going so we can make it to the boat before the Captain sets sail," Allyn says.

As Allyn and Julie go out on the porch, Jeremy grabs Candy and holds her tightly. "Are you sure about this? I don't want you to resent me later on."

"I would never resent you. I'm going to try my best to have a positive attitude. I want to make us work. I love you," Candy says as her and Jeremy kiss.

"I love you, too," Jeremy replies.