Disclaimer is on the Introduction page.
Italics means dreaming.
Betty was still looking over the telegram as surprised as can be. Scott couldn't really be alive, could he? Let's find out who is alive.
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"Betty," whispered Maple from the door. Betty jumped.
"Maple, I thought everyone went home," said Betty.
"I came back. I had a feeling you would be here. Who's that telegram from?"
"It's from a hospital in New York. They believe they have a patient that used to work here."
"Who would that be? It couldn't be Scott."
"I hope it is with all my heart, but it could be Victor or C.J. I must find out."
"We'd all understand if you went. I hope it's Scott, too."
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A couple of days later, Betty was sitting on a train heading to New York City. She was a little nervous since she'd only been there twice and it was with someone else. Every time she closed her eyes her mind would become a wheel with the three men that could be laying in that hospital. Or could it be someone else? Betty leaned back and started to read a book when a man about her age sat down next to her.
"Hi, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Kyle Donahue," said the man.
"How do you do? I'm Mrs. Betty Sherwood," said Betty, making sure that Kyle didn't get any ideas.
"So, you're married. For how long?"
"About a year. Now that we're done with the introductions may I read my book?"
"Not yet. You know, I've never been married before. I've got a girl back home and I'm afraid to ask her."
"If you really love her, then propose. The worst she could say is no."
The conversation kept on going. Betty was surprised at what she was telling him, but she was having fun.
"Last stop, New York City!" said the conductor.
"Well, it was nice meeting you. Good luck with your girl back home. Marriage really is wonderful," said Betty.
"Thanks again, Mrs. Sherwood!"
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Betty was still waiting for a taxicab when a limosene stopped in front of her. "May I give you a ride to wherever you're going?"
Betty jumped and realized that it was Kyle. "Thanks," said Betty, getting in. "I didn't know you were rich."
"I'm not, but my uncle is, and he sent this to pick me up."
"Wow! I never rode in a limo before, not even on my wedding day." Betty's face saddened at the memory.
"Is there something wrong? Don't tell me your wedding was a disaster."
"No, they were both lovely, but thinking of it reminded me of my husband. I just found out that he died in the war."
"That must be hard. Can you tell me where we're going?" Betty told him and then he continued. "If you would like to talk about it, I'm all ears."
To Betty's surprise she opened up and told her story.
"Well, we're here," said Kyle with a sorrowful look on his face.
"You've been very nice. Maybe we'll see each other again. If we don't, thanks."
"Betty, I hope everything turns out ok."
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Betty slowly walked into the hospital lobby. She was afraid and nervous of who and what lay ahead. The receptionist looked up and smiled.
"Hi, I was sent for by the hospital. Maybe this telegram can explain it."
"Oh yes, Mrs. Sherwood, come this way. We've been waiting for you." The receptionist led Betty to a corridor and then headed into a long room filled with beds. She stopped at one bed. It didn't even take a second to figure it out who it was.
The sight horrified Betty. Nothing like the man she once knew. Betty felt light headed. "Victor," Betty managed to say before she fainted.
"Mrs. Sherwood...Mrs. Sherwood," said the receptionist.
Betty slowly awoke and rose from her chair. "I'm sorry. You were right. That's Victor Comstock. He was said to have been on a plane that crashed a few months ago. It must have been a cover story so he could go on doing what he was supposed to do."
"Well, the nurse would like to talk to you now about his condition and what to expect."
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Betty walked to Victor's bed. The nurse told her many things, but it all boiled down to one simple fact. Victor was about to die. He couldn't talk very well and had trouble recognizing her.
"Victor," whispered Betty. He must have heard her, since he turned his face towards her.
"Betty!" Victor tried his hardest to exclaim. His whole face lit up like the sun at noon. Then it turned serious as he saw something different about Betty. The usually happy Betty looked so depressed. It wasn't just seeing him and knowing that he was going to die. It seemed to him as time went by the happiness turned into a frown as life brought her challenges. "Betty, what's wrong?"
"Victor, I'm fine."
"No, you aren't."
"All right, I'll tell you. It seems as if everything is changing for the worse. Scott died in action, you might pass away, and I miss home."
"Things change for a purpose. It may seem bad now, but things will turn out for the better in the long run."
"I wish I could believe that. Your leaving for the first time brought Scott into my life. I cherish every moment we shared, even when he was exasperating."
"Choosing Scott gave me freedom to do my work. You really do love Scott a lot, don't you?"
"With all my heart. Enough talk of that. Tell me what happened to bring you here in this condition?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."
"Why did you do all this?"
"All my life I wanted to be useful to others. When I was a child I lost my parents, my brother, and my two older sisters in a fire. I had no other living reletives. I was an outsider who tried to make something of himself. I wanted to show the world that I did have a purpose."
"You did that many times over."
"Maybe that's why I'm going to die. The Lord believes I have served my purpose."
"That's not the reason. You'll have a special new purpose up there that's more important then any purpose you had down here."
"Whatever happened to the girl I would amaze with my thoughts and beliefs?"
"Victor, you changed me into who I am by almost dying in London."
The lights started flickering. "That means no more visitors. This is nap time," said Victor with a yawn.
"Good - bye, Victor. I'll be back tomorrow," said Betty as she watched Victor fall asleep.
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Betty walked out of the hospital to find Kyle waiting for her. "What are you doing here?"
"I like how you greet people. It gets right to the point. Well, I'm here to see if my friend would like a ride somewhere, like to her hotel, or maybe out to eat if she's hungry. I'm starving and would really like someone to join me."
"Food sounds great," Betty said as she felt her stomach growl. "So, do you know any good restaurants around here? I've been to New York twice and I never visited this part of town."
"Let's see. There's one a couple of blocks from here, and maybe tonight I'll take you to the Rainbow Room."
"Not the Rainbow Room. I won't go there!"
"All right, but why are you being so sensitive?"
"I've been there once before. Let's go to the restaurant before I starve to death."
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Betty spent her days chatting with Victor and her nights with Kyle. He took her out to dinner and sometimes let her come watch a rehearsal of the musical he was appearing in on Broadway. Betty was glad to have something to take her mind off the early part of the day. Just watching Victor slowly die was hard. She had never seen anyone die before. At least Kyle brought some happiness into her life. She dreamed of her and Scott being together with their children every night. She knew that she had to go on with her life, but the dreams weren't making it any easier.
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"Welcome back! Welcome home!" Everyone shouted as Betty and Scott entered the doors of WENN.
"Scott, what happened?" asked Maple.
"Well..."Scott began as the phone rang.
Betty woke up then realized it was her phone ringing. "Hello," she said groggily.
"Mrs. Sherwood, you need to come down to the hospital right away," said the nurse.
"Why? What happened?" asked Betty.
"Victor has only about another hour to live and he's been calling for you."
"I'll be there as soon as I can," said Betty. She hung up the phone with tears in her eyes.
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Betty walked up to Victor's bed. "Victor."
"Betty, I'm so glad you're here," said Victor as he tried to sit up.
"Victor, lay down. You need to rest."
They went on talking all about what happened since he left. Victor suddenly quieted down down. "Betty, please read this note after I have gone and take care of yourself and WENN. I'll always love you."
"Victor, I promise that I'll always love you, too."
Then Victor closed his eyes and slept in peace. His duty was done. Victor would miss being alive, but he knew that it would be even better in heaven with no war, no trying to save WENN, and no worries about Betty, now that she knew the truth. We can't get to heaven till we reach that day.
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The next day, Betty and Kyle were eating lunch and discussing what she planned to do when she got back to Pittsburgh. She then remembered the note that Victor gave her. Betty slowly took it out. She felt too nervous to read it. She read it through a couple of times, and then she looked up at Kyle and exclaimed "Scott is ALIVE!!"
Love Story Series
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