dreams can come true ...

   Albert looked at the door as the knocking persisted before slowly rising from the chair beside where Clarence was resting.

  He opened it and took a step back.

  Standing in the doorway was a stunning silver-haired fraulein, in a traditional German dirndl dress.  She looked past Albert, her eyes searching the room.

  Albert stepped to the side and her eyes met Clarence's.  Crying, she rushed to the bed and fell into his open arms.

  Days later, with Albert pushing Clarence in a wheelchair, the three of them walked a meandering trail along the Rhine River.  Color had returned to Clarence's face, and his voice had gotten stronger as his appetite returned with Elsa's cooking.  She and Clarence held hands, and Albert could scarcely keep his happiness contained as his cheeks hurt from the constant smiling behind them.