Chapter 7
All rights reserved…the characters sadly don't belong to me!
This is the last chapter in the story "Anytime." I'd like to note how many times my friends have said the word, "anytime" to me over the course of writing this story…A LOT. :)
An hour before visiting hours ended, someone crept into Jack's hospital room and took a seat by his beside. The late night visitor was lost in his thoughts as he absently stared at an invisible spot on the extremely white and vacant wall across the room.
As if sensing his presence, Jack's eyes fluttered open. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and turned to face his unexpected visitor.
"Hey," Jack said in a croaky voice.
"Hey man, how are you feeling?"
Jack thought about the question carefully before responding.
"I feel pretty bad still…but it's a big improvement from the horrible I was feeling hours before. Thanks for helping me out man. If you weren't there it might have been a lot worse."
"I think you would have done ok without me. I'm happy that you're feeling a little better…Rachel and Shawn really freaked when they saw you."
"What about you?"
"What about me?" The visitor asked confusedly.
"Were you freaked out?" Jack asked quietly.
"I was scared." He admitted softly.
"I'm sorry Eric. I didn't mean for this to happen. Thanks for breaking my fall." Jack said sincerely observing Eric's emotionless face.
"It was nothing, you'd do the same for me buddy." Eric said a little more lightly.
"I would…I mean what are best friends for?" Jack smiled tiredly.
"Exactly. Anytime you need me, I'm here. Just promise me that you'll be more careful next time." Eric said solemnly.
"I will…I wouldn't want to put everyone through this again."
"I know you will. Well, I think I'm going to let you get some sleep." Eric said standing up.
"Eric?"
"Yeah?"
"I remember us fighting before I went out, back at the apartment. I didn't mean to force you into telling me anything you didn't want to…it's just that you're my best friend. I wanted to be there for you if you needed me." Jack said quickly.
Eric was silent for a long moment and then finally returned to his seat.
"Jack like I told you before, there is nothing wrong. Will you please stop worrying about this?" Eric said as he tiredly rubbed at his bloodshot eyes.
"Eric I understand if you don't want to tell me, but we've always been up front with each other before. Please don't start lying now." Jack said with underlining sadness in his hoarse voice.
"I'm sorry Jack; I just don't feel I can talk to you about this." Eric said in an even tone.
"That's ok. I hope you know that I'm here for you if you ever want to talk-"
"I hate it when I'm treated like I'm stupid." It came out so abruptly that Jack wasn't sure if Eric had said anything at all. After a few minutes of silence he realized that his friend was genuinely hurt by something that he had been a part of. It had never occurred to Jack that Eric was ever hurt by the meaningless jokes their group made about his intelligence. It made him feel so much worse. Eric's eyes were downcast and his hands were folded tightly in his lap waiting for some kind of response.
"I'm sorry Eric…I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I think if everyone knew you felt this way, they would stop. They care about you too, and they wouldn't want you to be hurt." Jack said swallowing around the lump that was forming in his throat. "I don't think you're stupid."
"Really?" Eric looked up almost hopefully, and Jack realized how wrong they had all been.
"Yeah man. And if anyone's stupid around here, it's me. Look at the mess I got myself into.
"You're not stupid, Jack. It was a mistake." Eric said sympathetically.
"Well it was…but still a pretty stupid one. I think you need to tell everyone how you feel, Eric. If you don't, they'll never know."
"I don't know, man. They might just laugh at me." Eric said shaking his head.
"No, they won't! They really need to hear this. I'll be there with you. In fact, it's the first thing we'll do tomorrow when I get out of here." Jack said with conviction.
"Wow, do I even get a choice?" Eric said grinning.
"Nope, not with this, at least."
"Well, thanks for being there to support me when I do." Eric said through a laugh.
"Anytime, man," Jack said with a tired smile.
"You should get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok, Goodnight Eric…and thanks." Jack said settling back into bed and closing his eyes. Eric's footsteps faded away into nothingness as sleep overcame him.
"Anytime," Eric whispered softly and the hospital door closed quietly behind him.
End.