Chapter 3 - The Next Day

When Dean woke up the next morning, he felt like he had slept better than he had in weeks. The nurses couldn't get over the change in him. While he was eating breakfast, his phone rang and he answered it very cheerfully.

"Hello?"

"Good morning Dean" Said his Mother.

"Hello Mother, I had asked my nurse to call you and tell you I was here. I'm glad she did."

"Yes, I received her call yesterday but I'm a little upset that you didn't call me yourself. Now I realize you were probably in pain and under the influence of pain killers but I was worried about you when you didn't come home and it would have been nice to know you were okay".

"Mother, I wasn't really in any condition to be making phone calls. I'm sorry that I worried you. When you come to visit me, can you bring a few things?"

"I have no intentions of coming into the hospital. Don't you realize that it is full of sick people? You only get sick when you go to a hospital. I'm sure I can get the nurse to pick up anything you need. Please just make a list and I can have it taken care of. Now in the meantime, how could you have such an accident? You are much too sensible to be walking around the Potomac River, where all kinds of creatures live and you know how scared of snakes you are. It is no wonder you fell and fractured your hip. I can just imagine what your boss is thinking right now. I do hope you have learned your lesson and will give up this silly fishing habit of yours."

Dean cringed as the long old argument reared its ugly head again "Mother, we have talked about this before. I enjoy fishing and now it makes me feel closer to Dad. Never mind about having the nurse get me things. I'll be fine. Oh here she is now, I have to go because she needs to take my blood pressure. Bye Mother."

There wasn't any nurse waiting for him. No one had come into the room. Sometimes, Dean really wished his Mother wouldn't treat him like a child. He picked up the phone and called his boss to make sure he got the word about his accident. His boss was much more understanding then his mother and told him that everything was under control. Steve had temporarily taken over doing the weather and his job was just waiting for him to get better. Dean sighed with relief, thanked his boss and hung up the phone.

When Nurse Pauline went into his room a short while later to actually take his blood pressure, she noticed right away the change in him. He was back to being grumpy and acting depressed. She couldn't wait to finish her duties and leave his room. Just as she headed to the Nurse's station, she noticed Amanda pushing her cart out of the elevator.

Nurse Pauline went over to Amanda and said "You have no idea the difference in Dean after you left. He has been such a bear to deal with since his accident and then you came and he actually seemed happy. Girl, I don't know what you did for him, but it sure made our job easier. Sadly something has happened this morning though because he seems sad and depressed again. I sure hope you can cheer him up again"

Amanda smiled and said "I'll do my best"

She then walked into Dean's room with a big smile and a very cheery "HELLLLOOO, Good Morning Dean. How did you sleep?" She immediately went over and opened up the window blinds "Let's open these up and let some sunshine in. Sitting in this dark gloomy room is sure to depress anyone but the sun is our friend and will cheer you up".

Dean's eyes lit up as soon as she walked in "Amanda, you came back. Thank you"

"I told you I would be here today. Have you eaten breakfast yet? It is the most important meal of the day after all."

"Yes I already ate. It wasn't bad for hospital food. I also slept very well after our visit yesterday"

"Great. I'm glad Dean. I want you to feel better so you can heal and get out of here and I'm sure you want that too".

"Will you sit and talk to me again today?"

"Of course, what do you want to talk about?"

Dean was ready this time "I want to find out more about you."

"What do you want to know?"

"Are you married?" Dean held his breath waiting for the answer.

"I was but I'm divorced now. It has only been a couple of months but we haven't really been husband and wife for a long time. His job took him to Africa and I have 2 small boys at home, Philip and Jamie, and I didn't think it was fair to them to uproot them" "What about you, are you married?"

Dean let his breath out and the corners of his mouth showed a little gleeful smile. "No, I'm not married. I have never been married. I have been waiting for the right woman to come into my life. Maybe she just showed up."

Amanda looked a little unsure of the situation as she said "Me? I don't know Dean. I'm not ready to start dating again or anything. My boys keep me pretty busy and my Mother moved back in to help me with them. I'm just trying to move on and move forward, you know?"

Dean smiled and said "I'm in no rush. Some things are worth waiting for. So you have 2 young boys? Tell me about them?"

Amanda was always happy to talk about her sons "Phillip is going on 9 soon and my baby, Jamie is going to be 7 soon. I can't believe how quickly they are growing up. They are both great kids. Phillip loves all kinds of sports and Jamie is so smart."

"Maybe someday I can meet them. I love children, especially younger children"

Amanda hesitated and said "Well we'll see. How is the pain today?"

"Oh, much better with you here," Dean Said "Please continue though. What do you do for work? I know you said you had an American Lit degree. Are you a writer?"

Amanda chuckled "No, I'm not a writer. Right now, I'm looking for work. I refused to ask for alimony in the divorce so Joe is just paying child support which makes it hard to make ends meet but it will all work out. It always does. Thankfully with my Mother living with us, she is able to help with the bills"

Dean wasn't ready for this conversation to end. "So you said you liked to go fishing and camping? I would love to take you fishing sometime. I promise that I won't trip over anything if you go with me."

"Why don't we concentrate on getting you better and then we can talk, okay?" Amanda was unsure about being picked up in a hospital. Dean seemed nice but she really wasn't ready to begin dating yet. "Can I leave you any books to read to pass the time?"

"You really like books don't you?"

Amanda "Well I am the Bedside Bluebelle Volunteer that pushes the Book Cart but yes, I do love books and I love to read. I get that from my Mother. She was always saying "Amanda, you can never judge a book by its cover, you have to read its insides and then judge it". So she convinced me to read when I was young and I just never stopped. It allows me to escape from real life now and then. Don't you like to read?"

"Sure I like a good book now and then but there is something about being in a hospital bed that makes it hard for me to concentrate on reading. I will take today's newspaper if you have it though"

"I have it right here. Why don't I leave you a Crossword puzzle book too? It will help you pass the time"

"Okay, thanks, do you really have to go" Dean noticed she was getting up as she gave him the items.

"Yes, there are other patients who need a little cheering up. I will check on you again tomorrow if you like though?"

"Oh Please do. I really enjoy our time together Amanda"

She smiled as she wished him a good day. "Try to stay in a good mood Dean, it will help you get better quicker"

Dean promised he would try as long as he knew he had her visit to look forward to.

As Amanda exited the room, Dean sighed. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was and though he knew it was her job to cheer up the patients, he felt like there was some sort of connection between them. He really hoped to have more opportunities to talk to her.

TBC