*he looked at the bed, then at Katelynn, then the bed again. Jack felt exhausted, in more ways than one, but he returned to Katelynn’s side quickly. the blue man stood there for a moment, looking down at her, before leaning down and quickly kissed her cheek as best he could with the tubes and everything in his way*
i love you.
*then he moved to the cot, pulling his shoes off as he did, and his scarf and hat* thank you again…
Rhonda smiled, a few tears prickling her own eyes. He had said the simple words with so much emotion that it reminded her of the day her husband had first said them. She had wished the girl could have been awake to hear them.
“You’re welcome…I’ll be right outside in the nurse’s station if you need anything, all right? Don’t hesitate to call for any reason. Sleep well.”
Pulling the blinds on the door windows slightly closed, Rhonda exited, a happy little sigh escaping her.
*he pulled the blanket around him and tried to sleep. he did. Jack’s eyes kept moving back to the hospital bed, back to Katelynn, and for a while felt he wouldn’t sleep. that he couldn’t. but, oddly, the beeps of the machine that represented her heart beat became soothing. his eye lids lowered.
he fell asleep.*
Jack Maple 