Dearest Diary,

We went to see Malachi, but Byron hung back in the waiting room. Malachi was awake when Krista and I walked in. I ran over and gently hugged Malachi, despite his brother's obvious annoyance at me being there. Malachi sighed at his brother, asking him to leave us be for a while. I sat on Malachi's bed carefully, smiling. He took my hand in his and smiled, intertwining our fingers. After a moment of being lost in his smile, I introduced Krista, who Malachi happily greeted and shook hands with. He then set his hand gently on top of mine.

That's when my guilt broke through.

I apologized over and over for everything, tears beginning to spill from my eyes again. I couldn't believe my own selfishness, and I told him so. Krista had to calm me down so Malachi could reassure me it wasn't my fault. He knew what he was getting into when his feelings for me developed. I laughed at him, holding his hand gently in both of mine. It was nice to know it wasn't my fault.

That's when Byron walked it. He smiled happily, walking over to Malachi. He said that he heard Malachi was a big fan of Dukes of Hazzard. Malachi nodded, shaking Byron's hand, then Chris Mayer walked in after Byron, and after him came Cathy, then Denver. Next came Ben, Sorrell, Sonny, and Jimmie. They all introduced themselves and autographed a "Get Well" card for Malachi. Byron soon slipped out again, then snuck back in a while later. He made his way through the crowd, then got everybody's attention. He said one of his good friends had come to see Malachi, along with somebody else he knew. I was confused, as Byron had never mentioned anybody like this before, but before we knew it, everybody was clearing a path for John Schneider and Tom Wopat to come meet Malachi.

I think Malachi about fainted.

I think I did too. John and Tom smiled, both introducing themselves, then signing the card. Malachi was so excited, and the happiest I'd ever seen him. I met John and Tom too, happily hugging them both and thanking them for coming for Malachi. Then, I ran over to Byron and tackled him in a tight hug, thanking him for getting everybody here for Malachi.

Soon after, Malachi was discharged and everybody helped him outside. Chris had brought one of the General Lee's for Malachi to ride in, although the doors weren't welded shut yet. Malachi still climbed in through the window, and then let me ride with him. He held my hand as John and Tom squeezed in beside us, while Byron, Cathy, Sonny, and Jimmie squeezed in the back. John drove, and although we weren't in Hazzard, we had the ride of a lifetime. He drove us all around until he got back to Warner's, where Chris had to return the car, but not before we had the chance for some pictures. One of the security guards took pictures of Malachi and I with the entire cast, and him with some of the individuals in staged pictures. One looked like Rosco and Enos had pulled him over in the General Lee.

All in all, today wasn't too bad. After everything broke up, I told Byron I was going to go with Malachi tonight. We ended up at his apartment, about twenty minutes away. I'm in the bathroom now, writing all this happily. I need to get back to Malachi now though. I need to talk to him about everything...

Love,

Cratey R.