Chapter 14 First day

The first day of rehabilitation went painfully for Jess. They had to revive the muscles of his legs and that was slow process, required long time, and patience. Rory just watched the exercises and memorized everything.

Jess was on his own bed, and one rehabilitator worked with him. He got tired quickly, but Rory knew that he could not say anything about it. Jess usually had some extra room with power. This time, Rory could see him using it.

'Okay. I think we are fine for now.' The rehabilitator said and looked at his watch. 'One hour is enough for the first day.'

'I can do more.' Jess mumbled, but Rory shot him one look.

'We don't have to push it.' The rehabilitator said. He looked at Rory. 'We could add one extra hour every day.'

'Okay. Thank you.' She said and watched him walked out of the room. 'What was that?' She looked at Jess again.

'What?' He frowned and shifted on his bed.

'You can't do more. You are too weak, Jess. I know that you want to get out of here, but be patient!'

'I'm tired! Jeez!' Jess snapped and rubbed his eyes. 'I want to get back home!'

'I know, Jess.' Rory rubbed his arm. Jess looked up at her. 'But I'm here and I'll be here until we get out of this hospital.'

'You miss the kids, Rory.' He frowned. 'I can see you in your eyes.'

'Of course I miss them.' Rory shrugged. 'You miss them too and this is normal.'

'But you can get back home if you want to. You are here for over a month.' Jess reached out his hand and Rory bent over so he could touch her face. 'You can get back home if you want to.'

'No.' She leaned on his palm. 'I won't leave you here.'

'But…'

'You can't make me Jess.' She sat on his bed and took his hand in hers. 'You can't make me go away. You need me here and I need to be here beside you.'

'You are so poetic right now.' He tried to smile.

'Maybe, but I am serious.' She kept her eyes on his face. 'I'll stay here with you and we'll get back home together.'

'You still a despot, you know that?' Jess felt tired and sleepy. He suppressed one yawn, but Rory noticed.

'I have to be.' She reached out her hand and ruffled his hair. 'I'm married to you.'

'Very funny.' Jess smiled sleepily.

'You are tired.' Rory whispered and saw him closed his eyes. 'Sleep now. I'll be here.' Jess just nodded at her words and she felt him completely relaxed under her hand. Rory sighed and got off his bed. She went to the window and gazed outside, without seeing anything. Her thoughts wandered. She thought about his sudden wish to look the photos of the plane crash.

Rory closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She did not want to see them. From the moment, she had seen the burning plane on the national TV, Rory refused to watch any pictures from the crash. She had taken some pills then. Ayn had cried in her arms and constantly repeated Jess' name. Rory had tried to calm her, but she could not remember what she had said to her daughter. Her only hope then was that Jess would call. When they had called her from the Hospital, Rory hoped that he was alive.

Why he wanted to see these photos? He did not need any more pain in his life.

Rory folded arms before his chest and turned around to look at him. He was alive and he was among the only few survives from that plane. Her lower lip trembled and Rory bit it. He was going to revive that nightmare all over again. She was going to do the same.

They added one extra hour in his rehabilitation process. Rory could see the pain on his face. She could see how he bit his lower lip and tried to follow the instructions. He never complained. However, he looked better than the previous day.

Luke came in just few minutes after Jess' rehabilitation was over. He was relaxing in his bed.

'Can I come in?' Luke knocked on the open door.

'Uncle Luke?' Jess opened his eyes and Rory nodded at her bed. 'You are here again. You forget something?'

'Yeah.' Luke crooked his face. 'I have one nephew here somewhere.'

'Your nephew will be out of here in less than two weeks.' Jess smiled, but then he turned serious again. His face faded. 'I asked something from you.'

'I have them here.' Luke pulled the package out of his bag.

'Give me them!' Jess reached out his hand, but Luke hesitated. 'Uncle Luke…'

'I don't think that you have to do this, Jess.' Luke frowned. 'You don't want to do this!'

'It's funny!' Jess narrowed his eyes. 'I thought I asked you for these papers!'

'He is right, Jess.' Rory got off her bed and went to him. 'You do not need this, especially now…'

'I want to see them!' He snapped. 'Now!'

'Don't be so stubborn, damn it!' Luke frowned.

'You just… don't understand.' Jess lowered his voice. 'I have to know. I need this!'

'Why?'

'Because I survived the crash and so many died in there.' Jess closed his eyes. 'I want to know the reason why I'm alive!'

'Jess…' Rory grabbed his hand and Jess looked up at Luke.

'Give me the newspapers… please.'

'Fine.' Luke hesitated once again, but put the thin package in his hand. 'But I have to warn you – it's awful!'

'Thank you.' Jess nodded and Rory helped him to lift up his bed. Jess pulled the newspapers out of the paper bag and Rory took his hand again. He sighed and looked at the first article.