Chapter Six
Saturday 8am
Ann stretched and realized she was alone in the bed. Jack had woken up two or three times during the night, coughing, but settled when she reached for him. She got out of bed, pulled on his sweater that was lying on the chair in the corner of the bedroom, and walked into the living room. Jack was sitting in a leather chair, looking out the window, sipping coffee.
"Hi,"
"Hi," he answered his voice still low and rough.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks," he said, smiling.
Ann looked at him for a moment and then went into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee. She went back into the living room and sat in the other chair.
"How long have you been up?"
"I dunno, I got up around three, I guess. I took my watch off."
Ann looked at his arms, seeing Jack had pushed his sleeves up. Aside from the pendant he always wore, he was wearing no jewelry. Her stomach rumbled.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not really, but I believe I owe you breakfast."
"Yes, you do, but you're still tired and sick, Jack. I'll call in this chit when you can cook something fantastic,"
"Okay," he replied, chuckling.
Ann headed for the kitchen and searched the fridge. Seeing nothing she wanted, she looked in the freezer. Smiling, she pulled out an Amy's Breakfast Burrito. Taking it out of the plastic, she put it on a plate and then into the microwave. Sipping her coffee, she listened to the microwave and looked at Jack. His head started to drop as he fell asleep. He settled again and rested his head onto the back of the chair. Two minutes later, she pulled her burrito from the microwave, grabbed a fork and then walked back to the living room. Ann sat down with her coffee and breakfast and watched Jack sleep.
12pm
Jack coughed and woke himself up.
"All right, easy, easy," Ann said, crouching next to him.
He continued to cough for several minutes before quieting. Breathing heavily, he sat back in his chair. They sat together in silence, listening to the apartment until the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Annie, it's me, how is he?"
"I'll let you talk to him, Tyler," Ann said, handing the phone to Jack.
"Hello?"
"Hey, man, how are you?"
"Managing, how are your meetings?"
"Really boring, but I have to give a report this afternoon so maybe I'll spice it up a bit!"
"Big surprise," Jack said, chuckling.
"How are you, really?"
"Tired, just damn tired," Jack replied softly.
"Just sleep, Malone, the world'll still be here tomorrow,"
"Yeah, maybe,"
"Jack, stretch out on the sofa. Annie isn't gonna leave you."
"Okay, Tyler," Jack said, sighing.
"Night Jack,"
"Bye, Tyler," Jack said, hanging up the phone.
Jack stood slowly and walked to the sofa. Very carefully, he stretched out and within minutes he was asleep.
6:00pm
Ann was tired of watching the television with the volume all but muted. She turned it up a bit and Jack woke from his heavy sleep.
"Hey, you're okay," she said, running her fingers through his hair.
"Thanks, still feel pressure on my chest, still tired," Jack rumbled.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not really,"
Ann walked back to the fridge and poured the chicken broth into a microwavable dish. Four minutes later, it was hot and smelled wonderful. She took a pot holder and removed the dish from the microwave. Retrieving a spoon, she carried the concoction to him, letting him smell it.
"Okay, I'll have soup," he relented.
Carefully she passed him the bowl of soup and the spoon, watching him eat it slowly. He finished half and then stopped, handing her the bowl and spoon.
"I'm sorry, I have to go to bed," he said, standing.
"No problem, can I help or are you okay?"
"Uhm, I'm okay for now. Just too tired to think or function." He said, running his hand through his hair and beard.
Ann stood up and walked with him back to the bedroom. She helped him into bed and then filled a glass with water, putting it on the bedside table.
"I'll be in the living room watching television."
"Thanks, I'm just gonna sleep right now." Jack said, fading into unconsciousness.
She kissed his cheek, turned off the lights and left the door open. Walking back to the living room, she stopped in the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. Ann sat down in front of the television, and lost herself in news and documentaries.
10:00pm
His coughing woke her. Ann got up quickly and walked to the bedroom. Jack was sitting up, coughing deep, painful coughs. She sat next to him and gently rubbed his back, talking to him softly. The coughing slowly subsided and he leaned back onto the pillows. She stood to go back to the living room.
"Please," he said softly, his eyes closed.
"What, Jack?" she asked.
"Please, stay," he managed.
Ann looked at him, the five days' growth of beard, and the perspiration on his reddened face. Carefully, she got into bed next to him, sitting shoulder to shoulder, elevated by the pillows. Turning to her, he put his head on her right shoulder and reached across her ribs with his right arm. She reached across his back, pulling him closer. He took a slow breath in and just tried to relax. She held him, her left hand clasped with her right, feeling his heart beat on her chest.
The apartment was almost quiet except for the occasional loud noise from the television in the living room. Ann held Jack, but he didn't sleep.
"Let it go, Jack, just let it go," Ann whispered.
"I can't,"
"It will consume you,"
"I miss him too much. It just hurts too much. I don't know what to do."
"Sleep for now, Jack. Just sleep,"
"I'm so tired,"
"Just sleep,"
And almost thirty minutes later, Jack finally did fall asleep. Ann kissed his head as it lay on her shoulder and then fell asleep herself.
Sunday 1:02am
Jack woke up to an unfamiliar sound. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and vectored to the noise in the dark room. Ann was curled up in the chair in the corner of his bedroom, crying. Getting out of bed slowly, he walked to the chair and carefully knelt in front of her.
"Honey, please don't cry,"
Raising her head, he saw her tear-streaked face and started to get choked up himself.
"I miss him, Jack,"
"Me too,"
He reached his hand to her face and gently wiped her fresh tears even as his own eyes overflowed. She pulled him in to her as he finally let go. He cried for his father, for Max, for the girls, and just because his reserves were gone. Finally, he stopped and turned away from her, sitting on the floor, his head rocked back against the chair. Moments later, he was asleep.
3:00pm
Jack rolled over in bed and woke up. The television was on in the living room. He didn't remember getting into bed. The last thing he remembered was being on the floor. Standing slowly, he walked into the living room. Ann was engrossed in a black and white movie; the smell of popcorn permeated the room. He stood behind the sofa and reached a quiet hand to her shoulder.
"You're up! How do you feel?" she asked, tilting her head back to look at him for a moment.
"Almost human, how about you?"
"I'm fine. Look, Tyler and Viv wanted to have dinner tonight. Are you up for it?"
"Sure, but let's make it early, okay? I seem to fade around ten,"
"All right, I'll call Tyler and check with him. Would you like me to make you something to eat?"
"No, I'm fine. I think a piece of toast is about all I can manage right now."
"Okay," Ann said, walking to the phone on the breakfast bar.
She dialed Tyler's number and counted the rings. On the tenth he picked up.
"Simpson,"
"Hi, Tyler, it's Ann,"
"Hi, Annie, how's our boy?"
"He's much better. Are you still available for dinner?"
"Yeah, I should be out around five-thirty or so,"
"Great, Jack was hoping for an early dinner,"
"Six-thirty I could do. Where does he want to eat?"
"Where do you want to eat?"
"The Cub Room, it's just down the street on Sullivan,"
"The Cub Room, on Sullivan, just down from the apartment,"
"See you at six thirty,"
"Right, bye," Ann said, hanging up.
Jack stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter top, munching on plain toast. Ann redialed the phone.
"Hi, Viv, it's Ann,"
"Hi, Ann, how's Jack?"
"I'll let you talk to him yourself," Ann said, handing him the phone, before sitting on the stool at the bar.
"Hi,"
"Hi,"
"Are you still available for dinner with us?"
"Sure, what time and where?"
"Uhm, hang on," Jack said, putting the phone to his chest.
"Six-thirty," Ann said, smiling.
"Six-thirty at The Cub Room,"
"Great I'll see you there,"
"Bye,"
"Bye," Jack said, depressing the bar on the phone and dialing a familiar number.
"The Cub Room,"
"Hi, it's Jack Malone, I need a table for four tonight at six-thirty in the dining room."
"No problem, Mr. Malone. See you later,"
"Bye," Jack said, hanging up the phone.
Sighing softly, he walked around the breakfast bar to where she was sitting. Standing in front of her, he blatantly stared, taking in all the features of her face. She opened her legs to allow him to get closer. He reached for her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Thank you for helping me through this," he said softly.
"You're welcome,"
He pulled her to her feet and escorted her to the sofa. He lay down on his side and invited her to spoon with him. Holding her closely, he fell asleep. Lulled by his soft breaths on her neck, Ann followed suit.
5:30pm
"Jack, we have an hour till dinner. Shower, perhaps?" Ann suggested to him.
Groaning softly he opened his eyes and looked at her. On an impulse, he reached for her and drew her into a soft kiss. She didn't resist but she didn't respond heartily, either. Getting to his feet, he noticed that Ann had showered. He walked back to the bedroom and shut the door behind him. Pulling off his clothes and placing them in the laundry bag, he walked into the shower and turned on the water. As the hot water finally made its way to his apartment, he rubbed his face, feeling the beard that he knew he had to shave. He looked at the blade of the razor in the shower and decided it would do, before starting to soap up.