July Again
Subject: Rain check?
I am dog tired. I’m sitting at my desk, staring at the screen, hoping the words in this document start to make sense. My head is killing me; my eyes are stinging.
It’s not fun.
I should probably go back to the apartment, but I just can’t find the energy to move. However, if I don’t, the cleaners are going to find me slumped in this seat, foaming at the mouth.
I don’t know why I’m so tired today. Probably because I’ve been staring at this damn laptop screen all day. I know we have a Skype date tonight, but do you mind if I call you instead? Just to rest my eyes.
Sorry, Jes.
I love you.
1 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Rain check?
Of course, we can skip Skype. I don’t mind a phone call.
I’m sorry you’re so tired. If you need to, just go to bed when you get back. We can talk tomorrow. I hope you’re okay. Make sure you’re taking regular breaks when you’re working.
I love you.
2 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: Birthday surprises
Hey, love.
Not that I want to spoil the surprise or anything, but there’s a big delivery due at your apartment today.
Do not open until your birthday. I mean it, mister.
Hope you managed to rest up!
2 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Birthday surprises
You’ve been pretty quiet today. I hope you’re okay! I’m bored and lonely, so you better get online soon; otherwise I’m going to be forced to talk to the postman again.
Even worse, I might open my word document and rewrite the opening paragraph of my first Meadowcraig story for the umpteenth time.
No, I’m not being a perfectionist, but come on. The opening paragraph needs to be… yeah, okay, I’m being a perfectionist.
Reply soon, before I decide to restart all my research from scratch!
You have received an instant message from:
JESY
Jesy: Hey?
Jesy: You’ve been so quiet today.
Jesy: Brian?
Jesy: Brian, are you there?
JESY has left the conversation
1 NEW SMS
Starting to get a little worried now.
Call me! - Jesy
3 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Justin, Darrell
Subject: Brian
Hey, guys.
Have either of you heard from Brian? Only, I haven’t in, like, over a day. And I know that’s not a big deal for most people. But it is for us. We talk every day.
I mean, he’s been to work, right?
You have received an instant message from:
JESY
Jesy: Guys?
Jesy: Justin?
Jesy: Darrell?
Jesy: Where the fuck is everyone?!
JESY has left the conversation
4 Jul | From: Justin Carter | To: Jesy Mason
Subject: RE: Brian
Jesy!
Your phone isn’t connecting for some reason. I have been trying to call you endlessly!
Whatever, it doesn’t matter.
First, don’t panic. He’s going to be okay.
Two nights ago, we had a robbery. I guess Brian was working late, and he got caught in the crossfire. They shot him twice. He’s in the hospital, but he’s stable, and the doctor looking after him is very confident he’ll make a full recovery.
Tell me when you get here and I’ll make sure the funds are available to get you a flight. I’ll attach my number in case you want to talk. But I promise, Jesy, he’s going to be okay.
4 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Justin Carter
Subject: RE: Brian
Book the next flight.
4 Jul | From: Justin Carter | To: Jesy Mason
Subject: RE: Brian
There’s no need to rush, Jesy. I’m with him now, he can wait for you to get things in order.
4 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Justin Carter
Subject: RE: Brian
Someone shot my boyfriend, and he is in the fucking hospital. I don’t need to get anything in order. All I need is to get on a flight and be there. I don’t care if he’s up on his feet doing the fucking cancan with the nursing staff.
I. AM. GETTING. THE. NEXT. FLIGHT.
4 Jul | From: Justin Carter | To: Jesy Mason
Subject: RE: Brian
Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry. Give me your details and I’ll email over all the confirmations. Print them off rather than having the digital copy. It never hurts and you don’t want to get delayed.
4 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Justin Carter
Subject: RE: Brian
Done. Is he awake?
4 Jul | From: Justin Carter | To: Jesy Mason
Subject: RE: Brian
No, he’s not awake.
I’ve attached all the details you need, and I’ll make sure there’s a car waiting for you at the airport.
Jesy, it’s none of my business. But you’re emotional, you’re panicking, and you’re scared.
Please take a couple of deep breaths before you get in the car.
Drive safe and make it here in one piece.
Brian will be fine, and I don’t want him to wake up and have to tell him you’re also in the hospital because you lost control of the car.
Stay in touch throughout your journey, I want to make sure you’re okay.
5 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Justin Carter
Subject: RE: Brian
Thank you for sending a driver.
I’m in the car now and we’re heading to the hospital. I just wanted to apologise for the way I worded my last few emails. You were right; I was panicking, and I took it out on you.
Thank you for getting in touch, I know you did your best to let me know as soon as you could. And thank you for reminding me to drive safely. It was in the back of my mind the whole journey to the airport, and it kept me thinking straight.
I’ll be seeing you soon, I guess.
5 Jul | From: Jesy Mason | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: Please open your eyes
You know, the hospital is super quiet in the dead of the night. Every time the nurse clears her throat, I jump out of my skin. Weirdly, though, all the beeping from the machinery fades into the background.
The staff here have been great. I should be back at your place right now, but I think the insane look in my eye swayed them and they’re letting me stay.
Shauna is the nurse in charge of your care, and she brings me a cup of tea every hour without fail.
She brought me food too, and I promise I had a nibble.
I spoke to your doctor earlier. Justin kept telling me you were fine, and he was right.
You have a collapsed lung, but the bullet went straight through.
They’ve repaired most of the damage and it’s already healing.
You’ll have to take it easy for a while and there will probably be no marathons in your future, but it could be worse.
The other bullet got stuck in your leg. They’re worried there might be some nerve damage, but they’ll know more when you wake up.
It missed all the major arteries, so you got extremely lucky.
They’ve put you in a coma to help you heal up faster. It’s all very precautionary, so they tell me. You look good, considering. You look tall, which is always a good thing.
Have you ever noticed that? When someone is lying in a hospital bed, they always look smaller. But not you. You’re tall and strong and just Brian.
My Brian.
It’s crazy to think that nearly a year ago I was in this same position. I remember telling you I would be okay if Jerry never woke up. That I was counting the minutes until I could leave.
Things could not be more different this time.
I don’t dare leave you.
I’ve needed the bathroom for the past two hours, but I don’t want to leave this seat. I’ll have to eventually because I don’t think Nurse Shauna wants to deal with my incontinence. But what if you open your eyes and I’m not here? I couldn’t live with that.
Logically, I know you won’t. Logic tells me I can rush across the hall to the bathroom, and everything will be fine, but fear keeps me in my seat.
I won’t be okay if you don’t wake up. I don’t know how to go forward in life without you by my side.
It’s insane that only a year ago I sat by the side of a man I didn’t love, waiting for him to wake up.
Now I’m here in the same position, only I’m not married and I am so beyond in love with you it hurts.
I’m gripped by fear. I am clinging to hope.
I love you, Brian. I’ll be here waiting for you.
You have received an instant message from:
DARRELL
Darrell: How is he?
Jesy: Oh, you know.
Jesy: He’s woken up a couple of times now. Even cracked a joke or two. I can’t believe I’ve been here a week already, I swear I just got off the plane.
Darrell: Are you sleeping much?
Jesy: I’m… doing my best.
Darrell: I understand.
Darrell: Has Justin been around?
Jesy: Oh, Justin has been brilliant, Darrell. I know he can be chaotic, and a bit, well…
Darrell: Weird?
Jesy: Weird works. But he really has stepped up. He’s taken on Brian’s workload. Dealing with the police and the insurance. He even went out and bought me a new outfit because in my rush to get here, I barely packed.
Darrell: I’m glad he’s making things easier for you.
Jesy: Aye. He’s a good man.
Darrell: Annoying as fuck though.
Jesy: Ha. I’ll tell him you said so.
Jesy: Did you talk to Brian’s parents?
Darrell: I did. I um, I passed on your number. I got it from the company staff information. I hope that’s okay.
Jesy: More than.
Jesy: I’m happy to talk to them.
Darrell: Not nervous?
Jesy: Should I be?
Darrell: I heard through the grapevine you called Brian your boyfriend.
Jesy: What? When?
Darrell: When you were shouting at Justin to get you over there.
Jesy: Did I really?
Jesy: Well, shit. We haven’t even had that conversation yet.
Darrell: He’s moving to be with you once he’s done with Detroit. I think boyfriend is a suitable word to use.
Jesy: Maybe.
Jesy: His doctor is here, so I’ll speak to you soon, okay?
Darrell: Remember to look after yourself too, Jes.
18 Jul | From: Annabell Mason | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: Are you okay?
Jesy, it’s mum.
I know you’ve got a million other things to be thinking about and I don’t want to add to your pile of stress, but an interesting opportunity has come up.
First of all, how is Brian?
As per our last phone call, he was close to being sent home. I guess we haven’t touched base in a while, but if he is home, I hope he’s settling in.