„You should really calm down a little Mister..." intervened the doctor. Cole looked puzzled as if he'd already forgotten about his presence. The young nurse returned with a plate of soup and a bottle of water. „Eat something, drink and try to sleep okay? I'll check back on you later." instructed the doctor and left them alone. „I'm flattered to be here with two handsome young men like you are." said the nurse who seemed to be trying to cheer them up. Jack did her the favor to smile a little but Cole's mimic remained frozen. „Here you go." she placed the tray with the food on his belly. The soup smelled delicious and Jack could hear another growl of his stomach. „Would it be possible that I could get some of that as well? Didn't eat much today." she flashed a big smile at him. „Of course! But I fear you have to pay for it as you're not a patient here." „That's fine with me."
Cole slowly ate the soup although he didn't feel much apetite. He knew that his body needed the food and the soup in fact tasted very good. It was prepared with fresh vegetables and potatoes.
Kelso was sitting next to him bolting down a bowl of soup himself very quickly. Cole still felt very weak and couldn't stop thinking about how he should tell the city and all the people he knew that he wasn't dead. The clinking of the spoon on the bottom of the bowl told Cole that Jack was finished with his soup. He stood up and placed the empty dishes on the side-table. Then he cleared his throat and spoke: „I'm gonna leave now Cole. I promise I won't tell anyone about you until you recovered and sorted things out okay? I may come and check on you again if I got the time..." he reached out for his jacket and hat. „Thanks for everything, Jack." said Cole frankly. Jack just nodded and headed out of the room.
Cole finished his soup and drank the whole bottle of water. He felt the throbbing pain in his headwound. „Do you need anything, Detective?" the nurse had entered the room again. „Yes, good advice..." came to his mind. „Maybe you want some painkillers? I won't be here for the night, so that's your last chance to ask." „You got something that could help me sleep? I've got a lot on my mind currently." she shot him an understanding look. „Of course, I understand. I'll get you something. Do you think you could manage taking a bath before the night? Your body might be highly infectious because of the dirt and bacteria with which you were in contact." Cole looked at the former light grey sleeve of his jacket and could only imagine how disgusting he had to look. „I guess that would be a good idea..." „Fine, I'll get everything ready."
He woke up sometime the next day without knowing what time it was – again. The sleeping pills had given him a deep and dreamless sleep and he was thankfull for that. Cole felt much better in the clean pajamas the clinic had provided for him and the bath the last evening had been one of the best things he'd experienced for a long time. He could feel his strength slowly return and sat up.
„Well good day, Detective." he looked up and saw the friendly nurse standing in the doorway. Had she observed him from that spot? She came towards his bed giving him a warm smile. „You're looking much better today. How are you feeling?" „Better, but quite hungry." „I guess that's a good sign. I'll bring you something...I fear the breakfast is out but there might be something left of lunch." Cole raised his eyebrows. „What time is it?" „Around 3:40 pm...you slept for almost 16 hours." apparently she noticed his slightly shocked face. „But don't you worry, sleep is the best medicine." she winked at him. „The doctor will come to check up on you in a few minutes."
He ate something and after that the doctor made a full examination of his body. „Your left ankel is slightly swollen...but the bone is intact. You should try to put as few weight as possible on it. Does it hurt?" He proceeded to twist his foot around. Cole flinched slightly as the sharp pain raced up his leg. „Only if you do this...I'll try to walk." he asked himself why he hadn't noticed that injury the evening before but maybe he'd simply been too tired. He carefully stood up. The doctor was right, if he shifted most of his weight to the other foot then he could take some steps. „Alright. I think I better leave today." Cole had come to the conclusion that waiting didn't make his situation any better. But there was another problem. Nurse Monica and he had both decided the evening before that his suit couldn't be safed. It was beyond dirty and the fabric was really torn up. Getting it fixed would be as expensive as buying an all new one. „Do you have some proper clothes you could lend me?" he asked the doctor as he slowly walked across the room. He suddenly realized that he didn't even have money to pay the clinic for his treatment. And he'd seen the rest of his clothes the last time at Elsa's apartment. But had she kept them after his death? Was his bank account still existent? Most likely it belonged to his wife now. „I'll give it back to you as soon as I find my own clothes and then I'll also be able to come up with the money for you...but first I need to go and sort things out...I hope you understand." The doctors mimic remained serious. „Your case is very extraordinary...if I have your word that you'll pay the clinic then it's fine with me." „I'm am honest man, doctor, or at least I try to be. You have my word."
So Cole finally makes his way out into the world again. Any guesses about what's gonna happen next? ;-)
