selecting their lunches. Several self-serve islands of well prepare and presented foods were in the middle of the cafeteria. Soon they had made their selections and met at the register. The cost surprised Bill, who was expecting a higher total, so he quickly paid, and they found a table near one of the large windows looking out over the well-manicured hospital grounds.
“Mind if I say a brief grace,” Said Bill.
"Not at all," the Eagleton's said in unison.
After the short prayer, Bill paused with his fork in hand.
"Betsy and I have been talking this morning. We both are on the faculty of the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. We know the university has a well-respected summer exchange program with the University of Alaska. If you would like to find out about the programs offered and decide to apply, Betsy and I would like to invite you, Danielle, to stay with us in Flagstaff. I wanted to tell you this now since your Mom and Dad are here," Said Bill.
"What a kind offer Mr. Bigelow," Said Katty.
"You know, Danielle has become very special to us, and we thought we could somehow help. We have a so-called mother-in-law apartment in the house with an external entry that you could use when you want privacy. We want to do this if you would like. When we get back up to the room, we can talk more about it if you like."
They talked a little more as they ate then finished and walked to the elevator. Betsy was just finishing her lunch when they arrived.
“The Doctor was in and said that in a couple of days they would put on a walking cast since I am doing well and I will be going directly home from Fairbanks.”
"That's great, darling. I thought that it would be longer and that I need to make arrangements for more extended leave. Also, I have talked about our offer to have Danielle stay with us if she would like to apply to the exchange student program at NAU."
"Oh, wonderful. Bill and I feel so good about the idea. We hope you will consider it. We were going to suggest it to Danielle, but having you here and being able to discuss it with you makes it even better."
“It sounds great,” said Kooz.
He turned toward Danielle. "I have heard the NAU is an excellent school. I know it has a well regarded remote sensing program which would be a good fit if you continue in the direction you're going now."
"I know Dad it would, but this is sudden, and I need to think it over."
“That is what I would expect, sweetie.”
“There is plenty of time, but the offer will stand however long you need, we just wanted to thank you,” Said Bill.
The rest of the time the Bigelows and the Eagleton's casually talked until it was time to go.
“I’ll check back in tomorrow to see how you are and say goodbye before I need to go register for the semester and get my books,” Said Danielle.
She and her family said goodbye and then they disappeared around the corner.
“I like her parents,” Betsy said.
“So do I,” Said Bill.
He sat down in the big chair next to Betsy's bed. They turned on the TV on the wall and watched a local talk show for a while. Betsy dozed, and Bill held her hand as he watched and remembered the ordeal they had just gone through. He then thought about Flagstaff and the rewarding life they had there. He hoped for many years more of that life. Maybe Danielle would share some of it.
~~~
Until this last week or so the summer break was mostly uneventful. The time with her mom and dad was good, and they had done some very nice things. Danielle had read and thought about her junior year, but when her father told her that they had bought her a trip back to school on the Denali Express she was most pleased. She didn't expect it to be life changing. What a week!
“Danielle!”
It was Cissy, her dorm mate just down the hall from her room who’s home is Anaktuvak Pass. She ran up and gave her a hug that was almost
“Mind if I say a brief grace,” Said Bill.
"Not at all," the Eagleton's said in unison.
After the short prayer, Bill paused with his fork in hand.
"Betsy and I have been talking this morning. We both are on the faculty of the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. We know the university has a well-respected summer exchange program with the University of Alaska. If you would like to find out about the programs offered and decide to apply, Betsy and I would like to invite you, Danielle, to stay with us in Flagstaff. I wanted to tell you this now since your Mom and Dad are here," Said Bill.
"What a kind offer Mr. Bigelow," Said Katty.
"You know, Danielle has become very special to us, and we thought we could somehow help. We have a so-called mother-in-law apartment in the house with an external entry that you could use when you want privacy. We want to do this if you would like. When we get back up to the room, we can talk more about it if you like."
They talked a little more as they ate then finished and walked to the elevator. Betsy was just finishing her lunch when they arrived.
“The Doctor was in and said that in a couple of days they would put on a walking cast since I am doing well and I will be going directly home from Fairbanks.”
"That's great, darling. I thought that it would be longer and that I need to make arrangements for more extended leave. Also, I have talked about our offer to have Danielle stay with us if she would like to apply to the exchange student program at NAU."
"Oh, wonderful. Bill and I feel so good about the idea. We hope you will consider it. We were going to suggest it to Danielle, but having you here and being able to discuss it with you makes it even better."
“It sounds great,” said Kooz.
He turned toward Danielle. "I have heard the NAU is an excellent school. I know it has a well regarded remote sensing program which would be a good fit if you continue in the direction you're going now."
"I know Dad it would, but this is sudden, and I need to think it over."
“That is what I would expect, sweetie.”
“There is plenty of time, but the offer will stand however long you need, we just wanted to thank you,” Said Bill.
The rest of the time the Bigelows and the Eagleton's casually talked until it was time to go.
“I’ll check back in tomorrow to see how you are and say goodbye before I need to go register for the semester and get my books,” Said Danielle.
She and her family said goodbye and then they disappeared around the corner.
“I like her parents,” Betsy said.
“So do I,” Said Bill.
He sat down in the big chair next to Betsy's bed. They turned on the TV on the wall and watched a local talk show for a while. Betsy dozed, and Bill held her hand as he watched and remembered the ordeal they had just gone through. He then thought about Flagstaff and the rewarding life they had there. He hoped for many years more of that life. Maybe Danielle would share some of it.
~~~
Until this last week or so the summer break was mostly uneventful. The time with her mom and dad was good, and they had done some very nice things. Danielle had read and thought about her junior year, but when her father told her that they had bought her a trip back to school on the Denali Express she was most pleased. She didn't expect it to be life changing. What a week!
“Danielle!”
It was Cissy, her dorm mate just down the hall from her room who’s home is Anaktuvak Pass. She ran up and gave her a hug that was almost
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