Proof #12
“Teddy- I’m not going to-” Jacob wanted to say something- but what?
There was nothing to say.
“Nothing you can do. Just go the fuck on and be happy.” Teddy
responded.
“I’m going to miss you.”
“I know. I’m pretty great.” Teddy responded. And then Jacob woke up.
Brewed. Dark. Black.
“What’s up fuckface?”
Jacob wasn’t sure he had eyes right now but, whatever he did have, could tell Teddy was there. It wasn’t so much a visual thing as it was a feeling. A familiarity.
“I don’t know. Where am I?” He asked.
“You’re resting.” Teddy said. “You’ll be back soon I think. I’m glad. I was hoping you’d be okay.”
“Am I… dead?” Jacob asked. He couldn’t feel anything yet.
“No. Sort of. I mean you were. But you’re not anymore.” Teddy responded. “You’re fine. Well, you’ll be fine. Sort of.”
“I died!?”
“Yeah. Thomas killed you. Barely, but enough.”
“I can’t see you.” Jacob responded.
“Yeah… about that.” Teddy sighed. “You’re probably not going to see me again.”
“What?”
“Look. You died. You’re my fifth witch to die in what- three years?”
“I thought you said-”
“What I said isn’t important- That kind of shit just doesn’t fly and so… Well I had a chance to make it so that if- Okay- I’m going to go on ahead so that you can stay here a while longer.”
“You mean-”
“Look- just don’t take this whole life thing for granted okay? You landed on me when you died and crushed my tiny seagull body and so now- well- I’m going to at least ensure that you make it out of here alive.”
32
Soup.
Hospitals aren’t the nicest place to wake up, but given the alternative, it seemed like a pretty good place to be.
He took a breath, and felt a sharp pain in his chest that made his eyes water.
“Fuck!” He gasped, as he looked around the room to see Serena and Tic sitting there.
“You’re awake!” Serena responded. He could feel her grab his back to assure him she was there. He appreciated it- but the pain was almost unbearable.
“Oh hi.” He coughed. His voice was sore and raspy. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Well, you kind of got stabbed.” Tic responded. “And you died for a few seconds there. But you’re okay now. Mostly.”
“Mostly?” Jacob coughed. Damn that hurt.
“Yeah- They couldn’t do anything about that face.”
“That’s…” Jacob took a sip of water as gently as he could. “Damn this sucks.”
“Yeah… not likely to get out of there for a while.” Tic responded. “They want to keep you here for a day or two.”
“How long has it been?”
“Well- about two days since the surgery.” Serena responded. “But don’t worry, we’re getting lots of work done at the cafe without you.”
“Yes. That was my concern right now.” Jacob tried to settle into the bed but it was a hospital bed where comfort is more of a concept.
“I mean that wasn’t a concern, but I’m glad it is for you.” He sighed.
“Things have actually been really good. We’ve got a lot of work done and he’s like a whole new person.”
“Again?” Jacob asked.
“Oh shush you.” Serena chuckled.
“How are you and Garret?”
“Good enough. It was a weird few days there, but now things are back to normal. I think he’s interested in pursuing something, but I’ll have to wait and see. Take things slow. I mean he’s competing with a gay roommate.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “And a fairly decent stand in gay brother.”
“That’s very nice of you to say.” He coughed. He looked around to see a few modest trinkets and well wishes. Nice to know a few people missed him. “Where’s Thomas?”
“Well… they arrested him of course.” Tic said.
“It’s weird though. He has no memory of the past few days.
Just thinks it was some kind of full psychotic breakdown or something.
Whatever was going on, he doesn’t have any memory of it.
The police are taking it seriously though.
I think they were waiting for you to wake up to press charges. ”
“I don’t think I’ll be doing that.”
“Jacob… He stabbed you.” Tic walked over to protest, but Jacob shook his head. Which also hurt.
“It’s okay. I probably deserved it.” Serena and Tic gave each other an odd look. “Trust me. It’s okay. I’m not interested in pressing anything. I just want to talk to him.”
“Well you can do that when you’re up and ready but are you sure?” Tic responded.
“Of course. He’s my friend. What happened wasn’t his fault. Trust me.” Jacob sighed.
“Well I guess we’ll wait for the medication to wear off before we talk to you further.” Serena responded.
“But we’re glad you’re awake again.” Tic responded.
“I’m glad I made it.” Jacob smiled.
“There is something you need to know though…” Tic responded.
“What?” Jacob asked.
“Your bird… Teddy didn’t make it. When you fell backwards you… He’s”
“It’s okay. I know.” Jacob responded. “You…?” Serena began, but shrugged it off.
“He’s in a better place now. With open water and garbage all around.” Tic responded.
“We can get you another-” Serena responded, but Jacob brushed them off.
“Not the time… Thanks though.” Jacob coughed and grabbed another sip of water. If he didn’t move things didn’t feel too bad- but when he did…
“They’re good people-” Jacob smiled and realized that he was talking to a Teddy that wasn’t there and felt a well of sadness in him. He looked around expecting him to pop out and snark at him, but nothing happened.
He looked at the cards and flowers- a couple from work. One from Garret telling him to get better so he can come back to work. Another from the church ladies. One from Jeff which included a brand new stamp… But nothing from Joe.
With a heavy head he laid back onto the pillow and closed his eyes.
His thoughts were still swimming but at least he was able to just think about everything.
He pondered if there was a way to bring Teddy back with some kind of latte-necrophilia, but that seemed like it was just asking for trouble.
The television droned on in the background discussing the news, and the monotone voice slowly lulled him to sleep.
He didn’t have any dreams, but his sleep was fairly restless regardless. A couple of nurses and doctors came in to talk to him (turns out he wouldn’t be able to work for a few weeks — oh no?) but his brain was perpetually somewhere else.
He kept thinking about Joe. Their short time together. How much was real? What does he do now without him? Does he just go back to the coffee shop like nothing happened?
“Hey.” Jacob, lost in his thoughts hadn’t even noticed that Joe was standing in the doorway.
“Hi.” Jacob responded. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” Joe responded. “Tic told me you had woken up so I wanted to see you.”
“Here I am. Are you coming in?” Jacob asked.
“Actually I…” Joe sighed.
“You don’t have to. I understand if you don’t want to but-” Jacob started.
“No, it’s not that. I do. I should. I just-” Joe stammered. Jacob frowned. Normally he was the ineloquent one. After a moment of awkward waffling Joe came in and sat beside Jacob. “I need to talk to you.”
Fuck- here it comes.
He was worried about this. He’d died and as such the spell had broken. The others had all gone back to normal- so it was only logical that Joe had as well. But still…
“I feel… strange right now.” Joe began. Jacob could feel his insides wriggling themselves into a knot. “These past few days have been something I never expected but-”
“You don’t have to tell me anymore. I get it.”
“You do?” Joe asked. He looked confused.
“Wait- you first.” Jacob said.
“Look- I don’t want to get married. I don’t know what came over me. It was so consuming in my mind that I wasn’t sure what else to think.” Joe responded. “I’ve been married before and I’m worried because I didn’t want to- but I did- and then… I’m worried that I was too much and-”
“You were too much?” Jacob interrupted.
“I’m sorry- I didn’t want to hurt you-”
“Wait… What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I don’t want to hurt you but-” Joe paused. The ‘but’ hurt more than Jacob had expected it to, but he prepared for what was to come. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Just stabbed.” Jacob smiled. “And I died a little.”
“Hey. My boss took three whole days to recover. You’re doing pretty good in that regard.” At first Jacob was confused before the joke clicked. They both laughed when Joe reached out and grabbed Jacob’s hand.
His eyes went wide. Jacob looked from the hand to Joe.
“What?” Joe asked.
“You’re holding my hand.” Jacob said.
“Of course.” Joe looked confused.
“Like it’s a thing.” Jacob’s eyes went wide. Was this how Joe killed him? With light affection?
“Of course it’s a thing.” Joe looked more confused. “Are you okay?”
“I mean I was stabbed-”
“Yes. I am aware of that part.” Joe chuckled. “Look- I’m sorry. Can we just go back to before I was going to ask you to marry me?”
“But the spell?” Jacob asked.
“What spell?” Joe looked at him.
“Shit. Fuck. Please don’t kill me.”
“I think maybe I should call a nurse…” Joe got up as if to leave, when Jacob’s hand squeezed his.
“Okay. Sit down. I think I need to tell you something.” Jacob said. He shifted in the bed to make himself as comfortable as he could. He looked into Joe’s deep beautiful eyes and frowned. “I’m a Witch.”
“You’re not that bad.” Joe said.
“No. Like a real one. With magic and stuff. And I know that you’re a Templar who is out there seeking to kill evils against the church and all that.
But I think it’s only fair of you to know that you don’t actually love me.
I cast a spell on your latte and that’s why you sang and danced that day and fell in love with me. ”
“I’m sorry- you’re a what?” Joe asked. His hand clenched Jacob’s tighter.
“I’m a witch.” Jacob wriggled inside.
“A witch.”
“Yes. A magical witch. I have powers. I cast spells and stuff.” Jacob bit his lip. He could feel his nerves being rattled. Joe looked at him with wide eyes full of fire. Was he about to kill him on the spot? To slay the evil that had invaded his bed?
Thankfully, Joe burst into laughter.
“Oh my goodness. That’s a good one. You had me going there for a while.” Joe bellowed. Tears threatened to burst from his eyes. He leaned in and gave Jacob a kiss on the forehead. “You act like I haven’t had these desires for months.”
Jacob froze.
“What?”
“Why did you think I was coming in all the time? I just wasn’t able to build up the courage to do it until… well I don’t know why exactly but I’m glad I did.”
“You… Did… What?” Jacob couldn’t comprehend. “Me?”
“Of course. You’re nice- but not too nice. Sassy- but never in a negative way. You’re quirky- and you’re easily the best barista I’ve ever met. I couldn’t be the only one who felt it. I guess you’re just… different. I like that about you.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Jacob asked.
“Would you have said yes knowing I was a man of the cloth?”
“I mean- I prefer you without it.” Jacob chuckled- which hurt. “But… Yeah. Probably.”
“Look- I’m going to see if we can’t get you home tonight- and I’m thinking we get some pizza or something tasty on the way home. Sound good?”
“Sounds great.” Jacob said with a chuckle. Reluctantly, he surrendered Joe’s hand and watched as he walked to the door. But just before he left“Hey Joe?”
“Yeah?”
“Does that mean you’re not a Templar?” Jacob asked. Joe laughed.
“Now what would give you that idea?” Joe responded.
“I just- Are you?” Jacob asked. Joe laughed.
“Jacob- come on.” Joe said, shaking his head as he left the room.
He watched as Joe left and smiled. His questions were answered- right?
With a frown he looked to where he imagined Teddy would be.
“He’s not a Templar. We were wrong about everything.” Jacob laughed to himself. When he looked to where Joe had been. He had left Jacob a single rose laying on the bed. He couldn’t reach it right now, but if he focused he could smell it- just barely. The scent was sweet and relaxing.
Jacob relaxed into the pillow, closed his eyes and took a breath.
Perhaps there really was something magical about this after all.