Chapter 14 - The Train Station

During the rest of the month of September, Dean had almost taken on a puppy dog persona in front of Amanda. He always seemed to be sad that she wouldn't marry him but when she wasn't around, he would play with the boys and seemed to enjoy being there. Amanda held fast to not wanting to rush things so Dean even went to Dotty and tried to get Dotty to help him. By this time, Dotty and Dean had grown really close and he was very fond of her. He enjoyed talking to her a lot and found that she loved asking his advice on things. Dean was a great listener at times and Dotty soon began telling him things that she didn't share with Amanda. One day while Dean was waiting for Amanda to get home, he and Dotty were enjoying a cup of tea at the kitchen table and Dotty asked him for advice.

"Dean, you know I'm getting up there in age, right?"

"Why Dotty, you are still a spring chicken as far as I'm concerned. What's the problem?"

"Well don't tell Amanda but I've been tired a lot lately so I have an appointment to see a doctor at the end of the week."

"Why don't you want Amanda to know?"

"Oh well you know how she is, she will just worry about me and drive me crazy. I would rather wait until I find out if I have anything to worry about."

"I see, well you know you can always talk to me Dotty. Do you want me to go to the appointment with you?"

"Dean, you are so wonderful. Do you know you are my rock in my darkest hour? I would really appreciate you going with me. I'm so worried that something is wrong. Thank you"

They both heard Amanda's car drive up so they started talking about the weather instead.

Dean did take Dotty to her appointment and it was discovered that she just needed to take vitamins more regularly as she was lacking a few things which made her body suffer feelings of exhaustion. After that day, Dotty became Dean's biggest defender and he knew she would remind Amanda often of how they should get married.

One Day in October, Dean got word that he was being sent to New York for an important meeting. He couldn't believe his luck because the day he had to go, it was supposed to rain. He had taken a look and there was a solid 30% chance of rain. He couldn't bear to leave his Ferrari out in the rain so he called up Amanda and asked her if she could take him to the train station. Amanda had been really pretty down and gloomy because after months of searching, she was still no closer to finding a job and money was getting tighter. She had intended to spend the day in front of the tv looking at help wanted ads in the newspaper while sitting in her nightgown and robe. So Dean's call took her by surprise and instead of getting dressed, she decided to just put a coat over her nightgown and bring him to the train station. Her Mother couldn't believe she wasn't getting dressed but it was a short drive to the station and she just didn't have the energy to bother with it.

Dean never knew exactly what happened that day. He remembered her saying she still was looking for a job and asked him if he was looking for anyone where he worked. He couldn't resist teasing her that he only hired people who would marry him. She didn't seem to find it very funny though. As they neared the door of the train, she wrapped her arms quickly around him and gave him a hug goodbye and he got on the train and headed to New York. After his meeting in the city, he had time to kill so he took a walk down in lower Manhattan and did some window shopping. He really wanted to find something unique for Amanda to show her how much he loved her and to maybe lift her spirits. Suddenly he saw the perfect gift. Right there in one of the display windows was a set of bookends. Afterall, they had met due to Amanda being a Bedside Bluebelle and pushing a book cart around. He couldn't believe his luck finding an adorable cow and pig bookend set that would go along with her bookshelves decor. He didn't even care about the cost but immediately went inside and bought them. He even paid the extra to have them gift wrapped. He couldn't wait to get back to Amanda so he could give them to her.

TBC