Always There When I Need You
(same day)
Point Place General Hospital
Pediatrics-Room 413
Point Place, WI
6:02PM
Eric was in Jacen's room holding his hand as the weary father slept in the old
orange vinyl chair that he remembered from his mother worked at the hospital all
those years ago.
"Eric," whispered a voice, "Eric, wake up, honey."
Eric blinked his eyes open.
"Jackie, what are you doing here? I thought you had---"
"I wanted to make sure both of you guys are okay." She kissed him on the
cheek and went over to give Jacen a soft kiss on the forehead.
"He's going to be fine. It's me that's going to be a wreck. Let's talk outside."
Eric went to fix his son's blanket and kiss him on the cheek.
"I'll be back, son."
"I figured you haven't eaten, so I got you something from the hospital cafeteria."
"You came all this way to make sure I've eaten?"
"Do you have a problem with that, Eric?"
"No. Let's go in the waiting room."
They were both happy that they had the room to themselves. Jackie took off her
jacket and opened up the paper bag and placed a salad, sandwich, and diet cream
soda in front of him on the coffee table as she sat next to him.
"This looks good, thank you." He peeled the seal off the dressing packet.
"Jacen's going to be all right?"
"Yes," he knocked on the table, "Thank god."
"Did you find out where his mother was?"
"The bitch thought Jacen was sleeping over his friend Tony's house and she
decided since it was cold she was going to put a fucking space heater by the
bathroom door," his voice started to crack, "A towel was on the floor and—damn
it…"
Jackie stroked his hand.
"Jacen is okay."
"My son could have fucking died, Jackie."
"I know, I know. But you've got to be strong for him." She squeezed his shoulders.
He was so tense. If it weren't for that little boy and Jackie was never going to say
anything she thought Eric probably would have committed suicide for real.
"I just can't get it out of my head that he could have died. And his mother didn't even
hear his cries for help. She just ran to the neighbors to call 911. How could she not
know my son was in the house! He could have died…every time I think…."
"But he didn't. Now eat your salad."
Eric sniffed, "Yes, dear. How are you doing?"
"Okay."
"Are you sure? It seems a lot of our talks lately have been about me and me and
Jacen—I don't want you think I'm not interested in the goings on in your life."
"I'd never think that. And you have had a lot to deal with recently."
"Jackie, if only I filed for divorce sooner none of this would have happened. We
were supposed to be talking about you now. How come you didn't get any food for
yourself?"
"Because I ate on the airplane. And you don't know what would have or would not
happened. It was an accident. An accident caused by your wives negligence. It
wasn't your fault." She went in her purse to take out her checkbook. with the unicorns
and rainbows cover.
Eric put the soda can on the table. He was surprised that he ate everything.
"What's that for?"
"You're on a budget and while your house gets repaired you and Jacen are going to
need a place to stay----"
"No, Jackie, I appreciate it. Really, I do, but you are already helping with my legal
counsel. I cannot take more money from you. I can take some money out of Jacen's
college fund. I can replace it when I hopefully get a tax refund."
"Don't you dare, Eric. This is a gift to a sweet guy who doesn't deserve
any of this bad stuff that seems to happen to you." She put the check in his shirt
pocket.
"Thank you. Hug?"
"Hug."
She always smelled so nice; a combination of gardenia and musk.
"We never did get to talk about you."
"I'm good, Eric, don't you worry about me," she picked up the wrappings and paper
bag and put everything in the garbage can.
"I take it you can't stay long."
"No. Maybe when school let's out you and Jacen can come to New York City to visit
me."
"We'll see. Before you leave will you say 'hi' to Jacen? I'm sure he's up now."
"Okay."
"Thanks for coming here today, Jackie. You didn't have to. You're always here
when I need you."
She kissed him on the cheek.
"That's what best friends do."
8:30PM
Eric was happy that the doctor's said that Jacen could go home the day after
tomorrow. He was surprised that he didn't hear from his soon to be ex-wife who did
not come to the hospital once to see the boy. It would probably help with him getting
custody but it had to be crushing his son.
"Hey, little guy, how are you?"
"It still hurts, Daddy."
"I know it does. Let's put your bed up. I got a surprise for you."
He situated the tray and put out the pepperoni pizza and can of root beer. Jacen
had to eat something because he didn't eat the fish sticks only his little cup of green
jell-o and half of the milk. The little boy really didn't want to eat anything but supposed
that he could pick at it to make his father happy.
"Thank you, daddy."
Eric kissed him on the head. "You're welcome, Jacen. I love you."
"You're the best dad ever."