"When the two of you became a couple and you were at our home all the time, I got to know you, see why Joseph was spending every moment with you. I truly did love you as a friend. The bet was long forgotten, and you were starting to bridge that gap between my brother and me. Your insistence we do things together, your pureness, everything about you drew me in."
George paused long enough that Katherine asked her own question. "Why didn't you tell me about the bet?"
"I was afraid you would hate me. How did you find out about it, anyway? I never brought it up again."
Katherine thought about making him suffer, letting his life-changing bet haunt him the rest of his life as it did her, but then she wasn't that kind of person.
"You did bring it up, at least one more time. I overheard you and Joseph talking one day. After that, well, you know the rest … "
George's eyes rounded as he thought back and remembered. "I'm sorry, Katherine, more than I could ever express. I know it doesn't take anything back, but I truly am sorry," he said.
"I guess it doesn't matter anymore, George. It was years ago and I've moved on with my life. You may have regretted the bet, but a bet's all I was to Joseph – a foolish prize to be won."
"No, Katherine. I never before, and have never since, seen him look at someone the way he gazed at you that night and the months that followed," George insisted.
She wanted to believe his words, but how could she trust him. She was scared to open that door again. Afraid to be hurt any more than she already had been.
"Why did it take you so many years to talk to me?"
Her question wasn't asked in anger or even resentment. She was perplexed as she began to believe his words.
"I was a fool. I was so embarrassed about my behavior, I figured you were better off without me."
"Then why come back now? Why not just continue staying away?"
"I moved to Chicago, fled was more like it. I was trying to outrun my demons. After a couple years, I realized they were within me and no matter where I went, they'd continue to be my constant shadow. Then, last year, I got married to a wonderful woman, who's brought joy back into my life, and loves me enough to want all of me – not the shell of a man I'd become. She's been helping me heal. I came home to make amends. I need to try to clear past wrongs and I needed to tell you the truth."
Katherine looked at him, saw the truth in his eyes, and she knew she had her friend back.
"I've missed you, George." She let it go. Continuing to hold a grudge against him for making a stupid bet before he knew who she was made her no better than the fool he was when he made it. His true colors had shown when he'd befriended her, spent hours talking to her and brought excitement into her life. He'd never been anything but respectful to her. She'd missed him.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness, nor your friendship, but I'm not going to refuse it. I've missed you, too, Katherine," he said as he moved over and engulfed her in a bear hug. She returned the hug, glad to have one wrong in her life fixed.
"Katherine, you always have been too forgiving," George admonished, bringing Katherine back to the present, reality hitting her hard.
She looked at the bed where her husband was lying so still. He looked as if he was doing nothing more than taking a nap. If it wasn't for all the monitors hooked up to him, she may be able to actually believe that's all it was.
"Hi, George, I didn't hear you come in," Katherine said with a fond smile.
"I had to sneak so I could listen in. I think you're making me out too well, actually. I was so horrible back then," he said with remembered pain in his eyes.
"I forgave you from that moment, George Anderson, and I've never regretted it. You're a great man and you haven't deserved the moments of unhappiness in your life. I'm so glad you and Joseph finally came around," she told him.
"We probably never would've if it hadn't been for you."
"Why, what happened?" Cassie questioned, sitting on the edge of her seat. "Please tell me you're not stopping again. You always leave us hanging."
"Sorry, sweetie, but I've had enough remembering for one night. We'll continue the story soon," Katherine promised.
It was both joyous and painful to remember the past. Even though it had been many years ago, it seemed like only yesterday to her. She'd fought so hard to keep her heart safe from Joseph, when all along he only wanted to cherish her.
"We understand, Aunt Katherine," Cassie replied, and the others in the room agreed as they rose from their chairs, each stopping and kissing Katherine on the cheek before they exited.
"Goodnight," Katherine told them, then walked out on George's arm. He was still a great friend, and support system in her life.