Chapter 19

An Empty Bed

Denny awoke the next day with a sinking feeling that something was terribly wrong. Why was Lynn's side of the bed empty? Why wasn't she there? Where was she? He soon realized that she hadn't slept there at all. Maybe she didn't feel well and slept in her parents' room. He got dressed and went looking for her. When he knocked at the door and got no answer he started to worry. The reception desk seemed to be his last chance …
“Excuse me Miss?”
“Hello, Sir. What can I do for you?”
“My name is Daniel Hampton and I'm staying in room 2113. Could you tell me where I could find Dr. James Winston? He and his wife are in room 2121.”
The young hotel employee took what Denny felt like forever to check.
“Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Winston checked out” she finally said.
“What?” Denny felt like he was missing something “When? Why?”
“Um, last night after their daughter's wedding. They said it was an emergency ...”
“Um ...” he couldn't make out the words, he couldn't think straight. “That … that's impossible, you see. Their daughter, not the one who got married, the other one, she's my … my girlfriend ...”. He sounded pathetic, he knew it. But he had to find out where Lynn was so he went on “She would have told me she was leaving, she … she wouldn't have left without me ...” he said.
“Oh, um, you said your name was Hampton?” the woman asked.
“Yeah ...” he answered annoyed.
“There's an envelope for you, a letter … from Miss. Winston ...” she said handing it to him.
He took it from her and clutched it in his hand. It took him a few minutes until he finally worked up the courage to read it.

Dear Denny,
I am sorry I left without a word. But I knew that if I saw you my determination would dissolve.
I thought about what you said wanting to do the right thing for me and the babies and I reached a decision. I hope you will understand how hard it is for me to do this but it is for the best. The right thing for you right now is to finish school and focus on your career, become a hot shot doctor like Mark says. So, I don't want you to think about our little 'problem' anymore because I'll take care of it for both of us.
Our little 'arrangement' wasn't working anymore anyway because I kind of broke the rules when I fell in love with you.
So, my dear friend, study hard, be a great doctor and … watch out for stalker girls, will you?
And Denny ... please, forgive me!
Love,
Lynn

He stood there clutching the piece of paper that used to be Lynn's letter for a long while. He had no idea how much time had passed since he came down there. He went back to his room and packed his bags in a blur and soon enough he was on a plane back to California. It wasn't just her decision to make, they were his babies, too. And he hated her for doing this to him ... If she wanted to be alone, then that was exactly what she was going to get. He'll leave her alone. Forever.