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| P a r t F o u r �When somebody needs you, well there�s no drug like that.� Nora repeated the line over and over in her mind as she watched her screaming violent sister hurling abuse at the nurses and throwing things at them. She hadn�t even spoken to her only seen her through a piece of glass, what kind of dysfunctional shit was she supposed to deal with anyway? �Ms. Lewin, excuse me.� The voice came out behind her. She turned to the young lady. �I�m sorry. Can I help you?� �Actually I�m helping you.� She held out her hand. �Doctor Cohen, I�ve been treating Louisa since she arrived early this morning.� �Treating � you make it sound like a disease.� Nora huffed. The Doctor raised her eyebrows. �In some ways it is I suppose.� How dare the young little� �Don�t judge me Doctor Cohen, you have no idea how difficult this is for me.� �As a sister or as the D.A?� Nora was stunned, she was being judged, she hadn�t done this. �I�m sorry, I shouldn�t have said that, I just know you have a erm�well a reputation to upkeep.� �And you think that determines how I handle things with Lou. I�ve been dealing with it all my life, I have nothing to hide. So don�t dare to patronise me with stories of how you�re going to make her well because you won�t.� Nora turned back to the window; Louisa was in bed now, settled. �I have to go.� �But she�s calm now, you can see her if you like.� �Not today, perhaps tomorrow, I�ll call tonight for an update.� �Ms. Lewin I really think�� �I�m sorry I can�t deal with this now.� She pushed past her and ran down the hall. It was busy outside, and hot, far too hot. She found a wall to hide behind, sank to her knees and closed her eyes to stop the world from closing in on her. * * * Three days later Jack was pretending to work. He had perfected this art over the years; his pen was in his hand, he had several books open and spread across the desk yet his face betrayed him because more often than not he would be deep in thought on some other matter and paying no attention to the information in front of him. Luckily for him nobody had ever noticed this, well nobody but his daughter who used to find great joy in invading his study to beg for a ride to the movies and despite his protestations to the contrary, she knew, and was adamant, that he wasn�t at all working. His door swung open and in flounced Serena interrupting the memory but somehow fitting the bill as a determined young lady intent on getting his attention. �Jack, you�re ignoring me.� �What, I�m just busy that�s all.� �You sure you�re not angry?� �Angry � Serena I told you it wasn�t your fault. You did your best, we lost, we take it on the chin and move on. If I didn�t have faith in you I wouldn�t have let you take control.� She smiled and leant on the doorframe folding her arms. �Thank you but I still appreciate your guidance.� �So do I.� Nora said as she approached from behind Serena. Jack looked up and shook his head. �Two compliments in one day � am I getting the sack or something?� Serena laughed but noticed Nora�s stony expression and stopped. �I should go, lots to do.� She panicked and nudged past Nora to escape the tension. Nora gently closed the door, hands flat against the glass she studied her hands, old and tired but with these expensive painted nails. �Nora.� Jack whispered behind her. �I have my nails painted at a salon Jack, people live in slums and I pay to have my nails painted.� Jack didn�t respond and it was the silence that brought her to her senses. She quickly turned around ashamed of the momentary weakness. �I�m sorry.� She smiled sitting down across from him. �Anything in particular you wanted to talk about?� He picked up his coffee cup, took a gulp then instantly regretted it and spat it back, it was stone cold. Nora laughed at his expression. �Pleasant?� �Cold.� He mumbled replacing the cup on the desk. �So what do you want? I�m working you know.� �No you�re not.� �I am.� He said confidently leaning back in his chair as he gestured at the books. �Don�t lie to me McCoy, you think I can�t tell that you�re killing time. Your eyes give you away.� �I can�t lie to you, that could be a problem.� He smiled chewing his pen thoughtfully. She laughed and flung her arms up in the air. �How am I supposed to be serious with you?� �What you wanna be serious for anyway?� He smiled, that boyish lopsided grin that caught her attention full on. �I missed you.� He said reaching over for her hand. She squeezed his fingers then pulled her hand back. �First fight then?� �First of many I hope.� She stood up and picked his cup up. �I�ll go get some fresh for us. Then we can have a toast.� �To?� �The start of many a good fight.� �Let the battle commence.� That night she visited her sister and watched as she slept peacefully, and for the first time in almost ten years she prayed. Tomorrow she would tell Jack, it was only fair. Review Home |