Amanda was changing the sheets on Johnny's bed while he sat in the comfortable chair by the window. She had the pictures of her little cottage in her purse to show him and she was a little nervous about what she was going to propose.

"There now, a clean bed," she said, smoothing out the blanket.

"You do so much for me," he said, smiling slightly.

"Only because I want to Johnny," she said, turning, "Now, if you were some ill natured bloke who griped and complained all the time it might be different, but you're not, you're a very sweet man."

Amanda passed by him and picked up her bag. "I have something to show you," she said, pulling out the photos and handing them to him.

"What's this?" he asked, looking through the pictures.

"You bought a house? It's nice, Amanda."

Johnny felt her silky hair on his arm and smelled her clean sweet scent; he wasn't looking at the picture.

"I've been thinking," she said, turning slightly and meeting his eyes, "these steps here are keeping you prisoner up here. I have three bedrooms, one is only small and I haven't furnished it yet but the other one is. Johnny, I'd like you to come and live with me."

Johnny blinked, "What?" he said softly.

"I'm offering you a room in my house...to come and stay...so you can get around a bit." Her eyes were wide.

"Amanda, I can't...no, I can't do that...that's not right." Johnny was shaking his head.

"What's not right about it? Is it me?"

"Oh no, its not you...no, it's...we aren't...what would people think of you, Amanda?"

Amanda sat on the arm of his chair. "Do I look like I'm worried about people, Johnny? I only thought it would be easier for you without the stairs. You'd have your own room, it's not like I was proposing that we share." Watching his eyes closely she saw something come and go quickly there. "It would be ever so much nicer, Johnny. It's all on one level you see and the kitchen would be handy for a drink or a snack. I can cook...a little." She smiled.

"I don't know why you are doing all this for me; you seem to have taken me over."

"I don't want to take you over," she moved from the chair, "I don't think you'd allow that...I want to help you until you can get on your feet...whatever happens after that..."

Johnny reached for her hand and held it for a moment before kissing it, "Thank you."