CHAPTER 33

Lee Stetson stepped into the door of the little office room that now contained two beds, two sick women and one healthy one who stood watch over them.

He noticed immediately that Amanda's eyes were closed and he looked at Jeannie. She gave him an encouraging smile and then ushered him out of the room and into the hallway.

"Whose brilliant idea was it to put the two of them in the same room," Lee asked Jeannie.

"Actually, Francine's been just as worried about Amanda as I was. I think she asked Kelford to," Jeannie answered Lee.

Lee nodded.

"Did anyone tell Amanda anything?"

Jeannie shook her head.

"No, I was waiting for you to. But the poor thing felt so miserable, she practically cried herself to sleep."

Lee frowned at that.

"I should have been there," he stated.

"She understands," Jeannie told him as she placed a consoling hand on his arm. "By the way, congratulations."

"Huh?" Lee asked.

Jeannie touched his left hand.

"I saw Amanda's, on her hand. I guess you had more important things on your mind than hiding this little secret."

"Oh," Lee said.

He thought about removing his, was actually starting to when Jeannie stopped him.

"Lee," she began. "I've know you a long time and I want you to know that I couldn't be happier for you, for both of you. Whatever reasons you had for keeping this secret, well, I've been there. I understand. But now, now is not the time for secrets, Scarecrow."

Lee sighed.

"I guess you're right. Do they pay you big bucks too?"

She smiled at his small attempt at humor.

"How's William holding up?"

"Better than I am," Lee replied. "He's focused on this, and frankly, honestly, the only place I want to be is here, with Amanda."

"I know, son."

"Look," he began. "I've got work to do. I've got to help in any way that I can."

"Why do you think that I'm here?" Jeannie asked him. "And yes, I will stay with her. It's the least that I can do. If I can help, in any small way, I want to. I need to."

Lee hugged her.

"Thank you," he told her as he looked back into the room where his wife and one of his best friends now lay, both fighting the same deadly illness.

"Take good care of her, of both of them," he pleaded with Jeannie.

"I will. Now go, they need you."

Lee nodded and then he did one of the hardest things that he had ever done. He walked away from his wife when she needed him the most.