31 (Part 2)
Morticia is measuring her husband's medications, crushing them up and liquifying them so she can administer them. However, she gets distracted when she sees Lurch approaching, somewhat faster than usual.
Lurch
Mrs. Addams?
Morticia
Lurch? Lurch, dear, I do hope you haven't left Mr. Addams alone.
Lurch
Follow me.
Morticia
Follow you?
Lurch
Opened his eyes.
Morticia
Why did you do that? Did he need something?
Lurch
No. He opened them.
It all clicks for Morticia. Lurch signals for her to follow, which she immediately does. Down the hallways they go, back to the master bedroom. Morticia asks questions as they go.
Morticia
He opened them? By himself?
Lurch
Yes, Mrs Addams.
Morticia
Oh, Lurch – I'm sorry. I suppose I'm just distracted.
They reach the bedroom, and Morticia opens the door, immediately sitting on the bed, beside Gomez. His eyes are closed again, but this doesn't deter Morticia.
Morticia
Gomez? Lurch has just been to see me. Gomez? Are you awake? Gomez? Could you try to open your eyes for me?
Gomez is as astonished by this turn of events as anyone else. Yesterday, he couldn't open his eyes no matter how hard he tried. Today, though still difficult, the ability has reawakened from nowhere. "Cara mia," he wants to exclaim – "I'll try. I must!" With everything in him, he tries to force his eyelids to open. Putting in an exorbitant amount of effort, it comes easier to him than he'd maybe expected. Both eyelids open slightly – definitely not all the way, but enough of the way for Gomez to see Morticia sitting beside him, watching his eyes intently.
As soon as she sees the movement in her husband's eyelids, she puts her hand on his cheek, stroking it.
Morticia
Oh, Gomez…
She takes a tissue from the bedside table, and wipes his eyes with it. Not that he's crying, just that she wants to make sure his vision is clear.
Morticia
Can you make much out?
Gomez can see Morticia quite well, but most everything else is still bleary and blurry. He looks up, though, a few times, to signal for the board. Morticia understands. She reaches for it, and holds it in front of him. They begin their dictation process, Morticia not over the novelty of not having to hold his eyes open.
Morticia
Alright – 1, 2…
Gomez
V-I-S-I-O-N-O-K
Morticia
It's okay? Do you want your glasses, my dear? Would that help?
Gomez looks up again – an emphatic yes. "Good thinking as always, cara mia", he wants to say.
Morticia opens the bedside table's drawer, and roots around for her husband's glasses. Unworn for over a month, she wipes them down, ridding them of the dust they've accumulated. She very carefully places them on her husband. She watches as he opens and closes his eyes again, as if getting used to this regained ability.
Morticia
Masterful, Gomez. Is that better?
Gomez gives her a slow blink for yes. Morticia does a small smile.
Morticia
Now, now – you mustn't strain yourself.
She strokes his cheek again.
Morticia
Oh, the children will be beside themselves when I tell them. As will Drs Harvey and Arendash.
All Gomez can really do is look at her.
Morticia
And, of course, the computer we had discussed. It's been on its way since Thursday. I do hope that it arrives soon.
Gomez is looking forward to its arrival – as a talkative man, being voiceless has been a gigantic inconvenience. To signal his approval, he looks up again, and then right into his wife's eyes.
Morticia
You'll be able to natter on in full sentences, my sweet. To say exactly what's on your mind. No need for silly boards. And then, after that – what's next? Your mouth? Your head? Your hands? Yes, darling, I can see you returning to us more and more every day. The worst is over.
Gomez wishes above all else to be able to express "you always know just what to say, my dear. I have been trying. Though, come to think of it, all improvements seem to come when I'm not."
Morticia smiles at him softly and subtly.
Morticia
Gomez, I will be back in just a moment, my darling. I'm just going to bring you in your medications. I can show you the sweater I've been working on for when we finally get you out of that ridiculous gown.
As Morticia flutters up and out of the room, Gomez wants to just smile when thinking of her words. A new sweater – yet another thoughtful gift from his wife, a woman so inspirational, so devoted. He loves her beyond words. Maybe, he ponders, that's why she's so good at reading his eyes.