Outcome
Page 40
"I can’t leave you, Andi," she cried, both hands on either side of my face. I looked at her, confused.
"What? What are you saying?"
"I’m saying I can’t go. I don’t have a life back there," She pointed toward the airport. "My life is with you. I love you!" She shook me to emphasize her point. I pulled her to me.
"I love you, too."
* * * * * * * *
"In a very unusual way, you made me whole."
Linda’s voice trailed off, her eyes closed, the microphone held out to the side. The audience jumped to its feet, and she smiled at all of us.
"Thank you, Minnesota! It’s so good to be home. Happy fourth, everyone!"
As we all cheered, fireworks began to shoot out from behind the stage at the bottom of the outside amphitheater, reflecting off the nearby lake.
The singer waved to everyone, finally leaving the stage for the last time after the audience had called her back for four encores.
"Well, shall we?" I asked as the applause died down, and people began to leave. Haley looked at me, a smile on her face. "We still have a singer to meet." Her smile widened, and she stood, offering her arm for me to hook mine through.
As we walked along the isle, waiting our turn to head into the main one, she turned to me.
"You know, it still amazes me how well Dr. Haggarty handled my resignation at the school."
"It doesn’t surprise me one bit. Who would go back to teaching when they could be doing what they loved at one of the best hospitals in the country?" She smiled, pulling me closer.
"I’m so happy our bid for the house went through today."
"Hmm, me, too."
"The sunk-in living room did it for me, you know."
"No, no. It was the fireplace in the bedroom." I kissed her on the cheek as we made our way toward the side of the stage where backstage pass holders were told to go. "You know, I saw a place the other day that would work great."
"Great for what?" Haley put her hand on the handle of the door that would take us behind.
"I can see it now; Haley Corregan, M.D., written on the door." She looked at me, staring into my eyes.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" she whispered.
"Probably about as much as I do. Come on. Linda’s waiting."
The End