Dana struggled over to Alice’s bedside, nearly tripping over her IV again.  “Whatcha watchin’?  Must be funny.”  Glancing at the television in confusion, she looked back to Alice.  “60 Minutes?  What’s so funny about that?”

Her hand over her mouth to stop her giggles, Alice replied, “It’s Andy Rooney.  His eyebrows, ya know?  They look like caterpillars.”  Her eyes shifted from side to side, and she cupped a hand around her mouth to whisper a secret.  “Sometimes they try to crawl off his face.”

Dana stared at her.  “His eyebrows?  Are you okay, Al?”

Alice shrugged, her eyes drifting back to the screen.  “I dunno, but I feel great!  This stuff they gave me for the pain after my surgery is *****’ amazing!”  She turned back to Dana with a serious express.  “And now I’ve learned something.  For two years now, I thought Andy Rooney was dead, but there he is, in living color.  That’s proof he’s still kicking.  Unless this is a rerun?  Do they show reruns of this show?”

Laughing, Dana pushed Alice’s hair out of her face.  “I don’t think they do.”

A blush coloring her cheeks, Alice said, “Sorry, Dane.  I’ve been getting a little loopy now and then.  I think I just did it again.”

“It’s okay.  I just came to see you, that’s all.”  Taking a deep breath, Dana began the speech she’d mentally composed on her way to Alice’s room.  “Al, I just wanted to tell you again that I’m sorry about what’s happened between us.  I love you more than I could ever say.  And, well, with what happened today, I realize that I could have lost you.  Forever.  Not just as the love of my life, but as a best friend.  You could have died today, Al, and I never would have seen you again.  I just can’t take not spending the rest of my life without seeing you at least every day.  I guess what I’m trying to say is” Dana trailed off, aware of Alice’s rapt gaze.  She struggled down onto one knee, taking Alice’s hand into her own, her heart practically pounding out of her chest.  “Well, what I guess I’m trying to see here is, uh, wellAlice, will you marry me?” she finally blurted out.