Mission of Gold - part one
I didn't want to think about it. I couldn't. If I did, I would start crying. My Amanda. She has to be okay. I got off the plane and hurried to get my bags. I needed to get to the hospital. Amanda needed me. It was so hard to leave the boys, but Joe and I felt it was best. He would stay with them until we knew what was happening.
As I sat in the cab the driver tried to engage in small talk. I just said I was visiting my daughter. That was partly true. He pulled into the Los Palmas hospital and stopped in the front. I grabbed my bags and thanked him. I slowly walked in thinking this was all a dream and I was going to wake up. I asked the nurse if I could leave my bags at her desk while I went to see my daughter. She nodded and I could see the fear in her eyes as I said my daughter's name. They all think she's going to die. NO! I won't believe that.
I stood at the door and saw Lee sitting by her. He was a mess. I had never seen Lee Stetson so….unraveled. I quietly walked in and my emotions got the better of me.
"OH MY GOD!"
Lee turned and saw me standing there. He came over to me and put his arm around me. "She's stable but still in critical condition. All we can do is wait."
I sighed and said "She's going to be fine. She's going to be absolutely fine! Lee…I have never seen her give up on anything that was important. And she's not going to give up now!"
I walked closer to my beautiful daughter. She looked so helpless laying there. She seemed peaceful.
"My God. What happened? Who did this? Why? I mean, it doesn't make any sense!"
Lee could barely smile let alone stand up. He had to be exhausted. I wonder when he actually slept or ate anything. He put his arm around me and said "Come on. I'll tell you everything I know. Alright?" I looked back at Amanda and then nodded to Lee. He took his time closing the door. He was just looking at Amanda.
We went to the cafeteria and got some coffee. He kept running his hands through his hair. He was truly a mess. I smiled to myself thinking that Amanda had to get better and soon. This man loved her greatly. I sighed and looked at Lee.
" Lee, when was the last time you had anything to eat? Or got any sleep?"
He shook his head. " I will once I know Amanda will be okay. I am so sorry about this."
He looked at me as if all of this was his fault. He was blaming himself. I knew I had to comfort him. He was truly hurting. I took his hand. "Lee, this isn't your fault. Amanda is a fighter and she will be okay. You have to believe that. I think you do." He nodded and tears were forming in his beautiful hazel green eyes. I had to get him to come clean with this trip.
"Lee, I know you and Amanda were here together. Weren't you?"
Lee nodded. " I am sorry we didn't tell you Mrs. West. We just wanted to have a trip together. I wanted to talk to her about….."
I smiled. "You don't have to explain anything. It's okay, son." I took a deep breath and smiled at him. "Now, young man, I think you need to go get some sleep and something to eat. I will sit with our girl tonight. Agreed? She has a lot to come back to. She has her family….and that I think includes all of us."
Lee Stetson smiled through his tears and kissed my cheek. He said goodbye and even if it was a brief speck of happiness, I knew that he wouldn't get any sleep. He would be thinking about Amanda.