CHAPTER 7

The next morning, Candy awakens to see Jeremy laying next to her, his eyes staring at her. "What's wrong?" she says startled as she tries to sit up.

"Nothings wrong. I just like looking at you. I still can't believe you're mine," he says as he puts his arm around her pulling her back down.

"Are you all right? How's your head?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore than usual. I don't want to talk about that right now." He turns over and takes a small box tied shut with a red ribbon from the table next to the bed. "I forgot to give this to you last night. I kind of had something else on my mind," he grins.

"Another present? Jeremy, you're going to spoil me," she says as she kisses his cheek.

"Good. That's what I want to do. Go ahead. Open it."

Candy opens the box to find a dark blue velvet covered box inside. Lifting it out of the first box she exclaims, "Oh, Jeremy, what did you do?" She opens it and gasps when she sees the beautiful gold locket. Carefully she removes it as tears spring to her eyes knowing exactly why he bought it.

Jeremy can tell that she understands why he is giving her the locket. "You know, don't you?"

Nodding her head, she replies, "Yes," as she begins to sob.

He takes her in his arms and holds her tightly. His tears fall also. After they both have a good cry, he says, "Candy, look on the back."

She turns it over and engraved on the back it says, TOGETHER FOREVER. "Together Forever," she reads aloud. "We will be, I just know it. Jeremy, thank you." She opens it and inside is a photo of the both of them taken on their wedding day. "Oh!" she says as she puts her hand over her mouth. "Will you put this on me?"

He takes it from her hands and places it around her neck closing the clasp. He gently kisses her neck. "Candy, someday when I'm no longer with you, just remember we're together forever."

Candy melts into him and they have another good cry before having to get up, get dressed, go downstairs to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, and then find their way to his appointment.

Meanwhile back in Seattle, Jason and Josh are in their tent at the camp trying to act like they're not bothered by something. They can't concentrate on their work and they are quick to show their short temper which they have already done several times this morning.

"Jason?" Josh asks.

"Yeah?" Jason replies.

"We gonna talk about it or pretend it's not happening?"

Jason glares at him, then shakes his head as his eyes mist over. "I'm just so angry at Jeremy for not letting us go with him. We should be there!"

"I know we should be there, but this is the way Jeremy wanted it. We have to respect his wishes. After all, he is a grown man."

"I know, but if anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself for not being there with him," Jason says.

"Me either. Ya know, I actually think Candy wanted us to go, but she wouldn't come right out and say it. I guess because Jeremy told us not to."

"That's another reason I'm so worried. Candy wanting us to go. She must be worried sick if she wants us around. What time was his appointment again?"

Josh glances at the clock. "10:00. They should be there getting underway. Hopefully, we'll hear some news soon. I just hope it's the news we want to hear."

"Me, too," he sighs. "Let's get a little work done, then break early for lunch. Go to Lottie's. That way we'll be close by if they send us a wire."

"Oh hell, Jason. I can't work. I'm going on to Lottie's."

"Let me tell Corky he's in charge and I'll go with you. That is if he's still talking to me. I did chew him out pretty good."

Josh chuckles, "Yeah, you did, but I think he understands why. Although an apology might be in order."

"You're right. I'm going to go find Corky. Be back soon."

Candy is pacing up and down the length of the room as she waits for Jeremy. Thoughts keep going round and round in her head. Jeremy has been back there for almost two hours. What is going on? What are they doing to him? Oh God, please. Please be with him and please above all else, please don't let it be a brain tumor. Why didn't I speak up and tell Jeremy to let his brothers come with us? They should be here. How much longer is this going to take? I hope. . ."

"Mrs. Bolt?" she hears someone say.

Candy looks up and sees a nurse standing in the doorway. "Yes?" She rushes over to her.

"I just wanted to let you know that Mr. Bolt is doing well. We're about half way through the procedures. Can I get you something? A coffee?"

"No, thank you.So Jeremy is all right? Is he in any pain?"

"He's doing fine. He hasn't said he was in pain. Just a little headache," the nurse replies.

"That's good. Thank you for the update."

"I better get back." She turns to leave.

Candy asks, "Is Jeremy conscious?"

"Yes, he is."

"Would you tell him I said 'Together Forever'? He'll know what I mean."

"Sure." She smiles as she leaves.

After another two hours or so has passed, Lisa comes out to talk to Candy. "Mrs. Bolt, we're all finished and Jeremy is doing fine."

"Oh, thank God. Can I see him?"

"He's getting dressed right now. He'll be out shortly."

"Did you find anything? A tumor?"

"It's too early to tell yet. We have to study all the results. I'll talk to both of you in my office. Come with me." She leads Candy to her office and says she'll be back shortly with Jeremy.

Candy looks around the office and notices all the awards hanging on the wall. She begins to read them when Jeremy and Lisa walk in. Candy hurries to Jeremy and gives him a hug.

"Are you all right?" she asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?"

"I am now that you're here." She takes his hand and he squeezes hers.

"Will you both have a seat? Now, I know that you're anxious to hear the results, but we have to do an indepth study first. Can you come back tomorrow, say around 1:00? We should have the results by then."

"Yes, 1:00 is fine," Jeremy answers. "Do, uh, do you have an idea of what the problem is?"

"No, not yet. I'm sorry, I know waiting for the results can be trying. But we just have to be patient. We don't want to hurry through this and make a mistake."

"I understand. I just want you to know that if it is a brain tumor, I'm not going to have the operation."

Lisa asks, "May I ask why not?"

"Allyn, hmm, Dr. Wright said that there haven't been any successful surgeries. I don't want to die on the table or days later. I want to go home and spend what time I have left with my wife, family, and friends."

"I understand. Dr. Wright is correct. There have been no successful surgeries yet. But I feel like we're getting close. What if your surgery would be the one that is successful?"

"But what if its not? That's a chance I'm not willing to take. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I understand completely. Hopefully, it won't come to that. Now, go back to your hotel, rest a while, and then take your wife out for a nice dinner. I'll see you both here in my office tomorrow." She stands and shakes hands with them both and they leave.

Outside back on the sidewalk, Candy asks, "Are you really all right?"

"I'm fine. Just tired. After I rest a while, how would you like to have supper and then go to the theater?"

"Well, if you feel up to it. First, we need to send a telegram to your brothers. You know, to ease their minds."

"That's a good idea. I hope they're not still upset with me for not letting them come along."

"Oh, I'm sure they're fine. After all they are two grown mature men."

They look at each other and start laughing.