A mid Fourth Season story that acts as an Epilogue to my story, Lean on Me. The reader will it enjoy it more having first read Lean on Me.

To Laugh Again

by Lynn

Lee Crane sat at the pleasant open air cafe in Denver, Colorado, enjoying the summer weather with a glass of iced tea. He had completed his tour of the manufacturing facility for a company offering their bid on one of Seaview's many component parts. Now that the tour was complete along with the accompanying customer/vendor dinners he was free to enjoy the city for a few days before returning home. He planned on hiking tomorrow, but it was too late to start such activities today so he enjoyed some down time instead, having changed from his uniform to a white long sleeve shirt and gray slacks.

“Lee? Lee is that you?” He heard as he turned toward the familiar female voice.

He chuckled in noticeable unbelief. “Is that you Rhonda?”

He stood and reached for her proffered hands and kissed her on the cheek in greeting.

“Is it really you?” His expression still showing evidence of unbelief as he smiled warmly. “You look wonderful,” he complimented. “Please join me,” he said politely offering her the chair beside him.

Lee couldn't get over the well-ness in Rhonda's appearance and demeanor. Gone were the tormented eyes and wild countenance of a mentally disturbed woman, her previous state the last time he saw her nearly seven months ago after that near disastrous time on the mountain. He was so pleased to see both Rhonda's outward and inner beauty shining forth so brilliantly.

“I just can't get over how well you look,” he said sitting down next to her and smiling.

She smiled back and answered, “Thank you Lee. What brings you to Denver?”

“Meetings with a possible vendor,” he replied pleasantly. “How about you?”

“Dad and I come into town every month to shop,” she replied as Lee nodded understanding that Granby was only about 2,000 in population and the larger department stores would be found in the nearby metropolis. Lee was also aware that Rhonda didn't have any family of her own, and that “Dad” most probably referred to Matthew Williams, Bobby's father.

Lee sighed. “How are you really doing?” he asked candidly.

“It's been a rough road, but I'm better for taking it. I had no idea I was keeping my misery alive by not letting Bobby go. I know he's in a good place, and I'm past wishing I could just die and go be with him. I think Bobby would have been sad to see me suffer so much,” she added sincerely but without losing herself in the emotion.

“I think you made remarkable progress,” Lee commented. “Miraculous even,” he finished.

“It was mostly love,” she said referring to her father-in-law's support and then chuckled. “Love and whole lot of tears,” she laughed, her eyes twinkling with life as Lee responded with a satisfied smile. Her soft lavender blouse sat pleasantly over her white pants adding to her charm as her soft strawberry blond hair bounced across her shoulders when she laughed.

They continued to talked, turning their conversation to the more casual things that friends would talk about as Rhonda recounted a previous trip into “town” and her hilarious attempts to parallel park. By the time she finally reached her objective there was a small crowd gathered who good-naturedly applauded her efforts as she sheepishly got out of her car. She laughed in return and offered them a stage bow, placing one hand behind her back and sweeping the other around as she curtsied for effect.

She and Lee shared a laugh together as Lee reveled in the strength that Rhonda had discovered within herself. His laughter was reflective of not only the humorous situation she described, but his joy at seeing her so happy and full of life. He basked in her laughter as he silently thought how pleased Bobby would be to see her tears turn to joy.

* * * * *

From the middle of the street stood a young man wearing jungle camouflaged battle gear, though no one could see him. He stood without moving as cars passed through his body without causing a flinch to either him or the drivers.

He smiled, content to finally see his Love returning to the full life she deserved. He had died only a moment ago, but without the confines of time or the pain of emotion, Bobby had viewed these last years watching Rhonda's ordeal. He was brought here now to witness the answer to his prayer, uttered with his dying breath that Rhonda would be alright. He sighed contently, grateful to see her laugh again.

“It's time,” was heard from overhead as light flooded him from the heavens. Instantly, Bobby Williams' battle clothes were transformed to sparkly white garments as he took one last look at his beloved.

“Have a long and happy life, Rhonda. I'll see you on the other side,” he whispered.

With that the light carried Bobby upward to heaven's throne room as the world below went on without the knowledge that Bobby Williams had visited here this day.

The End

To Laugh Again

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen