Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Paula went to her bedroom and found a few clean shirts and underwear she could have at the hospital so she wouldn’t need to come home often.
Instead of eating by herself, she would pick up dinner for both of them on her way back.
She wasn’t sure what he was allowed to have, so she would get him something light.
On her way to the restaurant, she remembered she needed to get Jackson’s stuff.
She’d better make that stop first. She crossed two lanes to get to her right turn, ignoring the raised middle finger from the young man in a Cadillac.
When she entered the condo, she felt like a burglar without Jackson present.
She went straight to the master bathroom, hoping the feeling would go away.
She found his razor, shaving cream, comb, and toothbrush easily enough, but had to hunt around for the case.
His skills at organizing saved her when she thought of checking the bathroom cupboard.
She also grabbed his sweats so he would have clothes to wear when he came home.
She returned to his hospital room, only to find Jackson gone for his pre-surgery CT scan. She put away their things and asked Molly for sheets and a blanket for the fold-out bed. She would have everything ready when Jackson got back. He wouldn’t win any argument over her staying.
He returned about half an hour later looking like he’d taken on a gang of six perps single-handed. He brightened when he saw her smiling face. “What is that heavenly smell?”
“Chicken soup from Panera. I have a strawberry poppyseed salad with chicken. I thought you might like it better than hospital food.”
She helped him sit up higher in the bed so he could eat. He started to eat the soup but found it difficult to manage, and Paula ended up feeding him most of it. He looked tired again after eating.
A new nurse came in to introduce herself. “I’m Janice. I’ve got the night shift. We’ll have your meds shortly. Is there anything you need? I see you’ve had a better dinner than we could provide. That’s the last you can eat or drink until after surgery tomorrow.”
Jackson asked, “Do you know of anywhere we could find a deck of cards? I’m not sleepy yet, and I’m really not in the mood for TV.”
“The hospital gift shop might have some, but you’ll have to hurry. They’re only open until seven.”
When Paula returned with the cards they decided to play draw poker. Jackson shot her a mischievous smile. “Pity we can’t play strip poker here.”
Paula said, “With your clothes rule, I’d be at a serious disadvantage, so I don’t think that’s a good choice for us.”
“What are we going to use for chips?” Jackson asked.
“Let me see. I think I have a bunch of change in my bag.” She returned with a coin purse bulging with pennies. “These will do.”
Jackson chuckled and waggled his eyebrows. “Deal!”
They played four hands, with Jackson winning each.
Paula studied the last cards and narrowed her eyes at Jackson. “Where did that ace of spades go?”
“Are you counting cards?” He widened his eyes, trying to look innocent.
“Are you cheating?” she countered.
“Me, cheat?”
“Because you don’t like to lose?”
Paula started hunting around his bed. The corner of a card was peeking out from under the edge of his blanket. She retrieved the missing ace, realized his energy had vanished like a sprinter hitting the one-mile mark in a marathon, and coaxed him into lying down.
She dimmed the lights and went into the bathroom to change into her sleep tee. When she emerged, he was already asleep, so she set up her bed and lay down herself.
Jackson had hoped for some sleep to help him recuperate from the accident. He was disappointed to discover that hospitals didn’t seem interested in letting people sleep.
The nurse came in twice and the aide three times, on each occasion waking him whether they meant to or not.
They wouldn’t give him water or anything else because of the upcoming surgery.
He looked over at the window and saw a lump on the bench.
It took him a moment to focus and realize it was Paula.
She shifted in her sleep, and the sheet slipped to reveal one shapely leg.
He hadn’t known she’d intended to stay. He appreciated her loyalty, but it left him with a dilemma.
He had to find a way to make her leave while he was in surgery.
His Melda was a woman of action, and she’d get frustrated waiting.
Paula would hate to leave him, so he had to come up with a good excuse.
He would send her on errands and have her get his home ready for him to move about on crutches.
That would give her something to focus on, rather than fretting over him.