Jack & Diane by Lena Hampton Page A

than you and Diane. I can understand that when you know, you know, even if you can’t explain how or why.”
    “Does that mean I have your blessing sir?” Jack asked for clarification.
    “It does. Though I think it may be best for me not to mention this conversation to my wife.”
    “I can handle that.”
    ♥♥♥
    social network :
    Message Diane Clark to Ryan Clark: Thanks for the warning about Mom and Dad.
    Message Ryan Clark to Diane Clark: You’re welcome. I did try to warn you, but your phone’s dead.
    Message Diane Clark to Ryan Clark: You could have sent me a message, an e-mail, or used smoked signals. You know I hate being caught off guard.
    Message Ryan Clark to Diane Clark: I’m sorry I could have been more persistent, but I have a few things in my own life that I’m trying to deal with.
     
    Jack Sloan’s status: Keep your phones charged. If you don’t it may result in a surprise visit from your girlfriend’s parents.

Chapter 10
    Diane stepped out of her final exam confident that she had passed it. She reached into her purse for her phone to call Jack. He’d sent a text just before her exam that said he needed her with a wink.
    “Hey Di,” he said wearily.
    “What’s wrong? It sounds like you’re crying.”
    There was a pause before he spoke so softly the words were almost inaudible. “I need you.”
    “I’ll be at the farm in twenty minutes.”
    “I’m not at the farm. I’m at the hospital in town.”
    Diane stopped in her tracks. “What’s happened?”
    “Dad passed out. Di, I know you have finals, but I could sure use to see you right now.”
    “Don’t worry about my finals. I’ll be there.”
    Jack hugged Diane so tightly when he saw her that it felt like she became part of him. When he let go she kissed him comfortingly.
    “Thank you for coming.” He took her hand in his.
    “No need to thank me for being where I’m supposed to be. What happened? How serious is it?”
    Jack explained, “Back in October there was a spot on a CAT Scan Dad had. It was small and Dad convinced the doctors to wait until after the holidays to do a biopsy. Then today, I found him passed out in the barn.” Tears began to fall from Jack’s blue eyes.
    “Oh, Jack.” She wiped the tears away.
    “He was still breathing and had a pulse but he wouldn’t respond. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do.” Diane began to cry too. She began to stroke the back of his hand with her thumb. “They did another scan and it showed a larger spot. It was more aggressive than they thought. They went in for emergency surgery because they didn’t want to chance it getting any bigger.”
    Diane wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. It was as much to comfort him as it was to comfort herself.
    “Where’s Momma?” Diane asked.
    “She’s lying down in the family hospitality room.”
    “I want to go check on her,” she said
    “I’ll come with you.”
    They walked to the room and his mother was sleeping. The stress of the day prompted her to take a nap at the time she normally would have been adding a half a pound of butter to something for dinner. Jack returned to their waiting room. Diane went and got them something to eat from the cafeteria. They sat for a couple of hours, exchanging few words.
    “You should have called me sooner?”
    “I didn’t want to throw you off from taking your exam.”
    Diane was amazed that he could think of her when his world was rocked.
    “I’ll be right back. Let me go check on Momma again,” Diane said
    Jack smiled internally at the love and concern she showed for him and his parents. “I love you, Diane.”
    “I love you too, Jack.”
    Diane walked into the room where Rose was sleeping. Diane did not want to disturb her so she pulled the covers up to keep the chill off.
    “Boy, I told you to stop fussing over me.”
    “It’s not Jack. It’s me, Diane.”
    “Oh, hi sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re here. Jack’s beside himself. You can