A Graduation Gift

Amanda had already seen the doctor and medication had been applied. She lay on the bed in a private ward, wondering if someone would visit her. Her dad had phoned and would be with her in the morning.

She lay motionless on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her thoughts wondered to a different time. Her life was full of hope, love and direction. There were so many prospects. Why couldn't she find love again? She was a young, naturally beautiful woman. She had long thick cascading black hair and a rounded face with dimples that pieced her olive complexion. Her height was average, but her body was not. Huge eyes reminded you of pools of milk chocolate.

Rufus knew it was nothing serious with her as she was already awake the moment he came in. He motioned by tapping on the door and went to her bedside.

"How are you feeling now?" Rufus asked with a calm voice, still showing no emotions on his perfect face.

His concern for Amanda was purely courteous and out of deep respect for Charlie. Cassandra was all he thought about—he just wanted to go back to her and put his arms around the little woman. She was completely different from Amanda. An image of her sad and hurt face reappeared in his mind, stabbing him on the heart.

His voice brought Amanda back to the present. She rolled her large brown eyes to look at the person who stood in front of her.

Amanda stared into his face. She couldn't let him go yet. Tears were running down her cheeks. This was the man for her. There wasn't anyone else who could compare. She wanted no one else. She wouldn't let up until he was hers again.

Rufus had seen Amanda crying before. She had cried hysterically; he had always turned a blind eye to her. Now, she was crying silently which caught him off guard and made him wonder if anything went wrong.

"What happened?" Rufus asked, concerned.

narrowed his eyebrows, waiting for

do you like Cassandra the way you do? She was your sister-in-law,

and cracked as she spoke. She stared

she is Cassandra. It has nothing to do with anything else," Rufus said

now, but it was still clear

you like about

up and warm softness crept in at the thought of Cassandra. The sudden

at Amanda. He used to be in love with this once unsophisticated woman. That was then, and he was in love with Cassandra now.

loving Rufus and trying to win him back. 'Cassandra is a very unusual woman, one of

She is kind and generous, with so much love to give. I love her daring, her stubbornness, and

remembered everything about

trembling and more tears welling up in

'Why do you like her so much? You have fallen head over heels in love, haven't

she so flawless