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shining armor will show up today? And can we stand the wait?”
    They didn’t have long to wonder. Just as I finally managed breakfast, he came through the open door. “Good morning.” He glanced in the direction of Cindy and Glori and nodded. Then he focused his attention on me.
    I felt my throat close up, as I tried to respond. Again, he ignored my difficulties, sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand.
    “I… I’m so glad to see you… today… David.”
    He smiled, and then kissed my forehead. “May I have some time alone with Debbie?” He turned to Cindy with his request. Now she was blushing with confusion. Before she could muster an answer, Glori grabbed her arm, and hauled her from the room.
    “What are you doing?” Cindy hissed as they lurched into the hallway.
    “What? Why not let them be alone for a while? What can it hurt?” Their voices disappeared down the hallway.
    He turned back to me. “Debbie, Dr. Gallagher told me you need to begin eating more in order to get well. Do you think you can do that?”
    “Ohhh… yes… David.” I nodded like a child caught in mischief. I was so flummoxed, I didn’t know how to respond, but I knew this was stupid.
    “Really?”
    “Ohhh… yes… David.” I continued nodding despite myself, and he burst out laughing.
    “You are positively adorable. You know that, don’t you?”
    “Oh.” My insides started to unravel a bit.
    “I need you to do something for me.”
    “What?” I looked up at his face.
    “I need you to want to live, Sweetheart. You’ve got to start eating something. Will you do that for me?”
    He called me “sweetheart.”
    “Oh yes, David.” This seemed reasonable. Without even thinking, I threw my arms around him, and he kissed my cheek again.
    He sat me back on the pillow so he could talk to me. “Sweetheart, I need you to promise me something.”
    He called me “sweetheart.” That’s about all that registered with me.
    “Yes.” I attempted to focus on his face.
    “I need you to promise me you’re going to eat all the food they give you, do everything Dr. Gallagher says to do, and do everything you can to get well. Will you promise me that?”
    “Yes.”
    “And I would really like it, if you could do a special painting for me. Would you do that?”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay.” He paused to let me absorb his requests.
    I remembered it’d be a good idea to speak now. “What would you like me to paint for you, David?”
    “Whatever you would like to do, Sweetheart.”
    “Wellll … I can show you some of my best paintings, my other paintings… in my room…” Or maybe they weren’t in my room anymore.
    “I would like that.” He had a curious smile on his face, and for some reason, I now felt comfortable staring.
    “Oh.” My mind was still too tired to focus on this art project for long. I reached to him for another hug, and I put my head on his strong chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart. I loved the scent of him. I loved everything about him.
    “Debbie.”
    I tried to pick my head up, but I was too comfortable.
    “I need to go on a business trip.”
    “Business trip?” I popped up and wavered in his arms.
    He steadied me. “Yes.”
    “Where are you… going? How long… how long will you be gone?” A lump rose in my throat.
    “I’m not sure how long I will be gone. But I need you to take good care of yourself while I’m away. Promise me you will.”
    I could only stare up at him.
    “Sweetheart, I think you should be able to gain some weight while I’m away. What do you think, hmm? I think six pounds would be good to start. Can you do that for me? Six pounds. Okay?”
    “Yes.” I wondered how I’d do that. I may as well jump over the moon.
    “Then when I get back, we’ll have a nice evening out together.”
    “A date?”
    “Yes, a date.”
    “Ohh…” I almost let myself get carried away in the fantasy. But the thought that he would leave brought me back. “When are you… going