Chapter two
hundred and twenty six:
Isaac was
sitting on the plane, attempting to watch the movie, but ended up worrying
about his wife.
She had been ill
almost from the time she woke up that morning, to the time they got to the
airport.
She managed to withstand
the take-off of the plane, but as soon as they were cleared to remove their
seatbelts, she was off to the lavatory to be sick.
He was worried,
he had to admit that. He couldn’t even ask his mother for advice because they
weren’t telling anyone for another month, to keep up the illusion that she had
gotten pregnant on their honeymoon.
“Hi,
sir. Can I get you
anything? A cup of coffee?” The stewardess asked.
“Umm… yeah, I’ll
have some coffee… And maybe a pillow and a blanket for my
wife.”
“Would she like
coffee also?”
“No, no. She
would maybe like a bottle of water, if you have one. And do you have any like
mints or gum or anything?”
“I can have a
look, sir.”
“Thanks.” He
accepted the cup of coffee and turned his attention back to the movie.
Before the
stewardess returned, Christy appeared, and silently slipped past him and
collapsed in her seat.
“Honey, are you
okay?” He asked, placing a hand on her knee.
She nodded.
“I’ve stopped throwing up. That’s an improvement.” She replied. “My stomach is
still all in knots though.”
“Do you need
anything? I got you a blanket and a pillow. And they’re going to check on a
bottle of water and gum.”
“That’s great,
thanks.” She smiled slightly and rested her head on his shoulder.
“While you were
in the washroom, I called the medical center in downtown
“Okay, good. I
want to go straight home and see Jenna.”
He didn’t
respond, just simply massaged her knee through her jeans.
“What?” she asked.
“We won’t be able to see Jen?”
“It’s just that
we’ll be getting back late; after visiting hours are over. And your appointment
is first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Oh.” She said,
sounding disappointed.
“But your
doctor’s appointment is right across the street from the hospital Jen is in. We
can go there right after and stay all day if you want.”
She smiled.
“Okay. I guess Jen should rest.”
The stewardess
reappeared carrying an armload of stuff.
“Okay, I have a
blanket and a pillow…”
“Thank you very
much.” Christy smiled politely and positioned the pillow between her and Isaac
and placing the blanket on her lap.
“And a bottle of
water, but I could only find mentos. Are those okay?”
“They’re
perfect, thank you.”
“Any
time.” The stewardess
smiled and continued making her rounds.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Luke was sitting in the hospital waiting room.
Jenna had gone through surgery fine, however, she was still under
anesthesia and the doctors said she might be that way for a couple of days.
Becky and Zac had stopped by on their way out to dinner and stayed
for nearly an hour. Becky had brought by some clothes and pajamas for Jen as
well as a stack of some of her favorite books.
When there was no change, and Jenna hadn’t even moved, Becky had
left with Zac.
Luke snapped closed his text book. He couldn’t concentrate. He got
up from his chair and pitched his empty coffee cup into the garbage. He
gathered his books under his arm, and at long last entered Jen’s hospital room.
Although he knew he had no chance of waking her, he gently placed
his books down on the dresser and crossed the room. He eased himself slowly
into the chair next to the bed.
He leaned forward in the chair and studied Jen’s face carefully. She
appeared to be simply sleeping.
He sighed heavily. “Jen…” He began. “I’m really sorry I haven’t
come to visit you… I should have… I mean, I should have come in when you would
actually know when I’m here, but I… I know I could have handled this better,
but I just… I love you. And I know that we’re not technically ‘there’ yet. But,
it’s true. I’ve been so damn worried about you, and I’m so damn… mad that this
could happen. But… if I lost you I’d…” He swallowed hard. He glanced at the
pile of books on the nightstand. He grabbed the first book on top of the pile:
a collected anthology of poems.
He opened the book to a page that Jenna had dog-eared repeatedly
and began to read.
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Becky was sitting across from Zac at a fancy restaurant he had chosen in the
downtown core of the city.
Becky had managed to find a pretty blue strapless dress in her closet that
seemed to fit where they were going. Zac had borrowed a pair of dress pants and
a dress shirt from
“Everything okay, Becca?” He asked.
He had watched carefully as she lowered her hands to her lap and looked from
side to side nervously.
She nodded and smiled softly. “Yeah. I… I
mean, I know you wanted to get out of the house and get me away from worrying
about Jen… but it’s just hard not to worry.”
“I know, Becca.” He lowered his fork and placed it on the table.
“I know you care a lot about Jen, and you’re worried.”
“I mean, the doctors said she’d be okay, but… why hasn’t she woken
up yet?” She looked up at Zac finally and met his gaze. “I’m sorry, I know this
is like the worst date ever and you spent a fortune to get us here and it was a
wonderful idea, really…”
“That’s okay, babe. I completely understand.” He smiled warmly and
took her hand across the table. “Why don’t we just finish dinner and go back to
the house, okay?”
“I’m sorry. I know you had a whole night planned…”
“Don’t apologize. I planned this night for you, and if you’re not
up to it, it’s completely understandable.”
She smiled finally. “You’re the sweetest guy in the whole world,
do you know that?”
Zac shrugged casually. “Yeah, all the hot chicks tell me that.”
Becky giggled, feeling her worry slightly start to drift away.