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Everything was so fucked up at the moment, not even cigarettes seemed to calm her nerves.
It had been weeks since her father got shot and still no fucking improvements.
Not one single movement or a slightest hint that he would make it. Nothing!
Beth didn’t even know the amount of cigarettes she’d consumed today. But those stupid things would do the trick anyway.
“Fuck…” she cursed again and stepped out the glimmering stump.
In a furios pace she stepped back into the hospital, hiding her own pain with every step she took, the wounds not quite healed from the explosion.
When Beth rounded the corner, something caught her eye and she stopped mid-motion. There was a woman sitting next to her unconscious father.
Beth stepped a bit closer observing the scene in front of her.
The woman was sitting with her back towards the window but Beth could see that she was holding his hand. Beth watched as the woman stood up, stroking over her father’s forehead then placing a kiss on it.
“Governor.” Beth greeted the Lady at her father’s bedside as she walked quietly into the room.
Lynelle jump in surprise and let go of John’s hand.
“Beth! Hello.” The older woman greeted back.
Beth watch her skeptically as the Governor turned her face away.
Had she been crying?
“What are you doing here?”
Lynelle looked at her suspicious, then back at John, considering her answer.
“I just need to see him, Beth.”
The younger woman nodded then lowered her gaze to the ground.
“I’m glad you care to visit him…” she admitted and got caught off guard by a sniffing sound.
When she looked back up at the Governor, Beth was shocked to see tears run down her cheeks.
Sensing the confused look on Beth’s face Lynelle wiped every her tears, ashamed of her sudden emotional outburst in front of her lover’s child.
Beth, uncomfortable with the situation, taking a step towards Lynelle, lifting her hand unsure wether she should touch her or not, but laying a comforting hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.
“It’s just…,” Lynelle started, laughing uncomfortable and wiping away new tears.
“The loss of my late husband still hurts so terribly much. I don’t know what I’d do if John won’t wake up… I can’t loose him too.” She admitted and cried quietly in defeat.
Beth, unable to comprehend the situation just squeezed her shoulder with empathy and Lynelle gratefully patted her hand after she pulled herself together, giving the young woman a thankful smile.
“I think I should go now.” She told Beth with a rusty voice and Beth nodded in agreement.
“Please let me know if his condition changes.”
“Yes, I can do that.” Beth smiled.
Lynelle grabbed her bag and headed to the door but stopped to look back at the two Duttons.
“I never tried to take her place… I hope you know that, Beth.”
Beth, now sitting in the chair next to her father’s bed, smiled.
“Yeah…”
She then looked back at her.
“You’re alright, Lynelle.”
Lynelle, a bit confused about the meaning of this message just smiled uncomfortable and turned to find the exit, leaving Beth with her thoughts.