CHAPTER FOUR #2
Estelle loved these interactions—and since Netflix picked up the show, streaming brought her a whole new generation of fans. Her maiden name of Winters was her stage name, so it made sense the nurse wouldn’t have made the connection right away.
“Yes, honey. I am Estelle Winters.” She lowered her voice and winked.
“But let’s keep that between us. I don’t want anything getting in the way of my son’s care.
” That was an outright lie, as Estelle loved nothing more than discussing the show that made her a star.
Fortunately though, she also loved her son and wouldn’t let the moment run away from her.
Nan crossed her heart with a trembling finger. “I won’t say a word, Ms. Winters.”
“Thank you,” Estelle said magnanimously. “But would you like an autograph?”
Nan gasped, shoving her hands in her scrubs pocket and retrieving a crumpled piece of paper. “Would you? This is such a thrill. I used to watch your show with my momma religiously. When you fell from the skyscraper in the season seven finale, I literally cried.”
“Aren’t you a doll?” Estelle scrawled her loopy signature. “Thanks for taking such good care of my son.”
“You’re very welcome!” Nan sighed with delight. “Oh my gosh, wow.”
The fangirling session came to an abrupt end when one of the doctors strode in with an iPad. “Mr. Smith,” he greeted without looking up. “You did well for your first night outside of ICU. We can start looking at discharge options soon.”
“That’s good news,” Craig replied from his perch in the corner of the room.
Estelle joined her husband, grasping his hand for support. “How long do you think he’ll have to stay in the hospital?”
The doctor clacked away on the tablet another moment without answering.
“That depends on what type of care Mr. Smith will have at home. He’ll require some physical therapy, but that can happen with visiting nurses.
He will need some assistance once we switch him to a walking cast, but either way, he won’t be able to live alone for a couple weeks.
There are bandages to change, wounds to inspect that he can’t reach in his current state.
The head injury was ruled out, but it’s mostly keeping Mr. Smith comfortable and off his feet. ”
“We’ll be here,” his mother urged, and Malcolm wanted to fall back into a coma. He loved his parents, truly, but the worst thing about his recovery would be needing their help. He wasn’t a kid anymore, damn it.
Jessie’s face flashed in his mind before he could blink her away. She’d take excellent care of him, he had no doubt. “Can we figure out logistics tomorrow?” Malcolm asked, eager to join the conversation about his own care.
The doctor nodded, finally meeting Malcolm’s eye. “Yes, Mr. Smith. We certainly can. I believe Nan is bringing up something for you to eat, but we’ll talk more in the morning. Rest up, everyone.” And with that, he was gone.
Malcolm endured his bland supper before crumpling back into a dreamless sleep. The next time he opened his eyes, his girl was back, “JJ,” he whispered.
“Hey,” she said, voice coated in sleep. “I hope I didn’t drool on your bed.” She wiped at her face. “Your parents went to the hotel to get showered, and I didn’t realize I dozed off.” There were pillow creases on her cheeks, her hair mussed.
“Thanks for coming back,” he said, meaning every word.
“Don’t thank me yet, all I’ve done is sleep.”
Malcolm shook his head, pain coursing down his neck. “Don’t sell yourself short, JJ. You’re here, and I appreciate it.”
Jessie’s face softened. “I couldn’t stay away, Malcolm. I know we’re ...” She trailed off, still unable to catalog their current relationship.
He would gladly offer her suggestions on what they were ... soulmates, lovers, best friends, the list went on indefinitely.
Instead of scaring her, he said, “We’re fine.”
Jessie nodded, swiping a lock of hair off his forehead. “We are, and you will be soon.”
“Okay, Nurse Mays.”
Jessie chuckled. “You joke, but I want to help. Let me take care of you.”
“What?” Malcolm cursed the heart monitor that betrayed his reaction to her offer. It beeped and clanged so loud, he wanted to yank the sensor off his chest.
Jessie licked her lips. “If you’re up for it, I offered to help your parents when you get discharged.”
“If I’m up for it?” Malcolm snorted. “JJ, I’d love your help.”
He would more than love it. Malcolm’s mind went wild with all the possibilities. Sponge baths, nightly cuddles, and stolen kisses came to mind. As if reading his thoughts, she swatted his arm.
“Ouch,” he hissed, and she immediately apologized.
“Sorry, sorry! But you know that this means medical help. I’m not fulfilling your sexy nurse fantasy.”
“Are you sure?” He pouted, knowing full well the only thing he could do physically right then was kiss her senseless ... which actually didn’t sound like a bad idea.
“Yoohoo, we’re back!” his mother announced, effectively killing the moment. “Oh good, Jessie’s here. Did she tell you the good news?”
“I was in the middle of it,” she said, turning to greet both his parents with quick hugs.
Now that she was standing, he saw she’d changed into a pair of cut-off denim overalls with a pink T-shirt.
Jessie always wore pink, a hue he’d come to love more than any other.
Pink meant Jessie’s rosy cheeks when she laughed too hard or he said something sweet.
Pink was the color of the flowers he used to bring her on dates, the color of his favorite dress of hers . .. the list went on.
And here he was getting a little too excited in a hospital bed surrounded by his parents and half the medical professionals of Pinegrove. “Mom, can JJ and I have another minute?”
“But we just got here.” His mother frowned.
“Estelle, we haven’t even had coffee. The boy is fine. Let’s get breakfast.” Craig took his wife’s elbow and directed her out into the hallway.
“We’ll be back in a jiffy!” she called out to no one in particular.
“Why do I have a feeling nursing you back to health is going to be an ordeal?” Jessie asked, her hands on her hips.
“Because it’ll be chaos,” Malcolm said, his smile growing the longer he looked at Jessie.
His girl was back in his life, and no matter how long she stayed, Malcolm was going to be a happy man.