Please Don't Leave Me : Chapter 7 : [ A Talk with Randy ]

'' I wonder how Daddy is doing with Randy''; Betsy thought

as she woke up. ''It must be almost suppertime now'';

Betsy said as she sat up and stretched. ''I'd better go and

see how Daddy is doing'', ; Betsy said as she got up and walked

out of her bedroom. '' Can I come in , Daddy ''? ; Betsy asked from

the guest room door. '' Come in , dear'', ; the Judge said from

his seat. Did Randy wake up while I was asleep ? ;

Betsy asked. He was awake for a few minutes a half-

hour after you left , Betsy , ; the Judge said.

Trampas came to see him , but he was asleep , ; the Judge added.

Did you just wake up , dear ? ; the Judge asked.

Yes , I was just headed downstairs to fix supper , ; Betsy replied.

Let me handle that tonight , Betsy , ; the Judge said.

Could you , Daddy , thanks , ; Betsy replied. I'm more than happy to help , Betsy , ; the Judge replied. You just stay here with Randy , I'll take care of supper tonight , ; the Judge said as he got up.

Thanks , Daddy , ; Betsy said as she sat down by Randy's bed.

I'll let you know when it's ready , ; the Judge said as he left the room. ''Betsy , is that you'' ? ; Randy said as his eyes blinked open. Yes , Randy , I'm back now , ; Betsy replied , smiling at Randy.

Was your daddy here awhile ago , Betsy ? ; Randy asked in confusion. Yes, Randy , he offered to keep an eye on you while I took a nap , ; Betsy replied. I remember wakin' up awhile ago and talkin' with your daddy , ; Randy said as he became more conscious. Was it a surprise , finding Daddy there instead of me , Randy ? ; Betsy asked. It was kind of a surprise , Betsy , ; Randy said. But not too much of a surprise , ; Randy added.

Before I drifted off again , I remember him tellin' me to go back to sleep and get some rest, ; Randy said. Well , the way he said it kinda reminded me of what my daddy would say when I was sick or somethin' , ; Randy said softly. That sounds very much like Daddy , Randy , ; Betsy said , smiling at him gently. And I'd say that's a sign that he's not only gotten used to and accepted you , Randy , but that he loves you as much as I do , ; Betsy said gently.

It's good to have folks that love you , is'nt it ? ; Randy said softly. And someplace to belong to , ; Randy added. And you belong here with all of us , Randy , ; Betsy said smiling. You know , when I first got here , Betsy , there were times when I wondered if I'd ever belong here , but I'm glad I figured out I belong here , ; Randy said. I'm glad you stayed , Randy , ; Betsy said warmly.

Me too , Betsy , ; Randy said. Daddy said that Trampas came to see you earlier , but you must've been asleep , ; Betsy said.

I guess so ! ; Randy said softly. Hopefully the next time he drops in , you'll be awake , Randy , ; Betsy said cheerfully. And I certainly hope that we don't have any more rustlers come to call on us! ; Betsy exclaimed quietly. That's for sure , Betsy ! ; Randy joked.

Anyway , I'm just glad you're alright , and that you're on the mend , Randy , ; Betsy said , smiling at her friend. And I'm sure glad that I was lucky enough to have you for a nurse , Betsy , ; Randy

said , smiling back at her with that warm smile of his. I'm happy I was able to help you , Randy , ; Betsy replied , smiling back at him warmly. I'm just glad I was here , and not somewhere else , ; Betsy added.

I'm glad about that too , because it would've been awful rough without you here , Betsy , ; Randy said , smiling at her.

Thanks , Randy , ; Betsy said. Now you just need to focus on getting well , ; Betsy said as she tucked Randy's covers around him.

I sure will with you around , Betsy , ; Randy teased.

That's for sure , Randy! ; Betsy laughed. Now , Daddy's fixing supper ,

so I should go and see how he's coming along , ; Betsy said.

I'll be right back , Randy , ; Betsy said as she got up.

Okay , Betsy , ; Randy said as she left the room.