"I... I need to go out for some air, Amanda," Lance managed to say, his voice strained with emotion.
Amanda reached out and gently touched his arm, her eyes filled with understanding.
"Okay, we can reschedule it for some other time." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here, Lance. You don't need to keep everything bottled up inside. I know something is bothering you, and I want to help if I can," Amanda said with a sincerity that touched Lance.
Lance hesitated, his heart heavy with regret. But as he looked into his sister's eyes, filled with nothing but love and acceptance, he was again reminded why Amanda was still alive.
"I... I can't talk about it now, Amanda," Lance began, his voice barely above a whisper. "But thank you... thank you for offering to listen. I may take you up on that someday."
