Chapter Two

Over the month that followed Jack tried to move on from the information. Accept it was no longer his place to care. But not hearing any news was unbearable and he soon rang Sally again to find out there was no change. Yet he remained unfocused and Sam immediately noticed.

"Maybe you should go see her," she said one Sunday afternoon, as he sat distracted, on the couch.

Jack didn't bother pretending not to know who she was talking about. "I don't know. It's not really my place."

"Jack, if she does go, you're going to need some sort of closure. You can't go on like this; that much is obvious."

"It's just…"

"You don't have to explain. I just need you to be here with us again."

Jack smiled and nodded. "I will be, I promise," he said and kissed her forehead.

"I'm looking for Martha Mackenzie please. She's a patient here."

"Are you a relative?"

Jack hesitated. "Ahhh, husband, technically. But we're separated."

The woman looked at him suspiciously. "Room 505, fifth floor," she finally relented.

"Thanks."

As he travelled up in the lift nervousness washed over him, while a feeling of faint nausea settled at the back of his stomach. What would she look like, he wondered? And who would be there? He had told Sal he was coming and she had seemed pleased enough, but Sal was so polite you could never tell. Perhaps they all thought he was some huge hypocrite coming to see her comatose when he had never bothered to visit before. And then there was the fact that the only reason he had found out – that she'd being lying prostrate for six whole months – was because he had called to get a divorce. All up, it did look bad.

When he arrived at the room the door was closed. He knocked and there was no answer. He knocked again and again nothing.

"A person in a coma doesn't respond to knocking."

He jumped at the voice. "God Alf, you scared me half to death."

"Sal told me you were coming."

"Yeah, I flew in from Perth today."

"How've you been?"

"Yeah, um, ok. How's Martha?" Alf raised his eye-brows. "Sorry, I meant…"

"It's ok. No change. Anyway you can see for yourself now."

Jack turned around to face the door but was petrified of opening it. Instead he just stood there uncomfortably, with Alf's hot breath on his neck.

"She hasn't grown three heads you know. She's still the same old Martha."

Ashamed by his cowardice and with Alf hovering behind him, Jack had no choice but to open the door and walk in.

The first thing he noticed was her hair. It had been cut short; later he would find out this made it easier for bathing. Her skin was also paler and her face more gaunt. He surprised himself he could make the comparison so easily but looking at her now, he realised he had never forgotten that face. And despite the forced changes of a hospital coma, she did look just like the same old Martha he once knew. The same large, defined features and startling beauty. But what was he doing here – ogling her? Was that why he came?

"I think I'll leave you two alone for a bit." Alf cut into his thoughts and sent him into a state of panic.

"Oh that's not necessary."

"No really, it's ok. I've got things to do and it will give you a chance to talk to her."

"About?"

"Anything, a different voice is invaluable. And I'm sure she'll be thrilled to hear yours."

"You mean she can hear?"

"In my mind she can hear – it's what keeps me going." Wrapped up with his own concerns Jack had forgotten how hard this must be on Alf and he guiltily offered a sympathetic smile.

"I'll come back later, and Sal will be in later on too. She's down from the bay for a visit." As Alf closed the door behind him Jack drew up a chair beside his sleeping, estranged wife. He smiled at her, and pondered what to say.

"Well this is a good chance to get a word in. I'm used to you telling me what to do." Jack laughed. "It's Jack, obviously." Instead of the sound of her voice which should fill the space, his joke was greeted with silence. Taking her hand he grasped it gently in his own and touched the skin to his face; staining her flesh with his tears. "Hi Martha," he managed, and pressed her palm against the flat of his nose.

"Hey Mr. Stewart, what's up?"

"Sal, Jack's arrived. He's at the hospital now." As she listened on her mobile, she heard the excitement in his voice.

"Really? That's great. How is he?"

"Fine. I'm so glad he's come Sal."

"Yeah, it will be good to see him again."

"But Sal, it's more than that, it's the change I feel is necessary."

"I'm sorry Mr Stewart, I'm not following."

"Jack being here, with Martha, it's going to help her, it could be the difference. I can feel it."

"Mr Stewart, you shouldn't get your hopes up."

"He was the love of her life Sal. That must mean something."

"I didn't realise you were such a romantic."

"I don't know what I am anymore Sal, or what I believe in. But I know this, my granddaughter, she will wake up, and having Jack here will mean everything to that happening." Sally ended the conversation extremely worried. She didn't know what Alf expected of Jack but she had grave doubts as to whether he could deliver.