The water drips slowly into the faucet and creates tiny but loud thuds once they hit. The light in the bathroom glares with the audacity of the noon sun. Very rude of it considering it was 3 o'clock in the morning. It's almost as rude as my bladder for waking me up out of a sound sleep.
I can't leave this bathroom. The reality of what happened today is undeniable. A huge black eye is staring back at me. I swear the astronauts out in space can see this damn thing. It stings every time I touch that side of my face.
I begin to cry. Oh my God, Jack. He's going to fall apart when he sees me. I was in the way. I was just trying to protect him. And it hurt but I wasn't angry. How could I be? That punch was meant for Biff and I was in the way. I heard him scream my name. It's okay, baby. That was my last thought before I remember coming to and he was holding me. I tried to be funny by asking who he was. Of course I knew who he was! Nobody knew I was joking though. Jack was kissing me when he was announced the winner. I was elated; nothing else mattered.
I clutch my chest at the sound of Jack's bedroom door opening. Oh God, what do I do? I know damn well he's got to use the bathroom. In all my panic, I just stand there. He's going to see me in the morning anyway.
"Hey, honey," he says, half-asleep. "You o-"
He gasps hard as he catches his first real glimpse of my face. I cover my mouth as I begin to sob. I knew it. Tears are beginning to fall from his eyes.
"Now you listen to me," I grab his shoulders while I hiss through my tears. "I'm not angry at you."
He just stands there.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. I got in the way. You didn't mean this."
"I didn't…"
"I know…"
"I never…"
"It's in the past," I say, never losing grip on his shoulders. "We can move on from this."
"We can?"
"We can," I say, moving my hands from his shoulders and instead my arms wrap him in a hug.
"I still love you, Jack."
"I still love you, too."
"How much?"
He took my face in his hands and kissed the black and blue marks by my eye gently. It was so sweet that fresh tears sprung back into my eyes. He then hoisted me up by my shoulders and I wrapped my legs around his waist as I let him carry me back to bed. He laid me down ever so gently and kissed me goodnight softly on the mouth. He stroked my hair right before he walked out of my room. I forgot he never did use the toilet. I roll over and thank God Terri worked night shift tonight.
"Woo-ah!"
I muffle a giggle with my hand. I knew how to get through to Jack Tripper. We were going to get through this. The best is yet come.
