Treading On Eggshells

The words seemed to go straight through her, Jac felt like she was hearing the conversation from deep underwater. Connie's voice was muffled, distorted beyond all recognition. The words Connie had just spoken, had gone in, but were not accepted by Jac's mind. She was in so much pain her thoughts were fuzzy and muddled.

"We had no other choice, I'm afraid we had to amputate your leg, I'm very sorry."

After that Jac had switched off, she didn't want to hear anymore.

CONNIE: Jac, I can imagine this must be a terrible shock, but when you feel ready we can help you. It will take time for it all to sink in.

JAC: I've said it before, I don't need anyone's help! I'll deal with this on my own. It's nothing new, I've done it in the past so I'll do it again.

CONNIE: Jac I admire your fortitude, but you've got to realise it's not possible to go through such a massive change without physical, and perhaps even more importantly psychological support.

JAC:(Sneers) If the day comes when I need any support of any sort, that will be the day I let go of my life, throw in the towel and give up, but I'm telling you right now, as long as there is breath in me that will NEVER happen!

CONNIE: There is absolutley nothing wrong with accepting help, I can understand you finding it difficult. You are not used to this, I know you have an iron will. But there will come a time when you will see that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but actually a sign of strength.

JAC: (claps sarcastically) How very touching but please, save me from the motivational speeches, they tend to make me want to vomit!

Connie looks slightly offended by Jac's behaviour. She walks out of the room, without saying a word. She almost walks into Joseph.

CONNIE: If you're going to see Ms Naylor, I strongly suggest that you bide your time, she's not in a good frame of mind. I've just told her about the amputation.

JOSEPH: I really must see her, I can't leave things the way they are now.

CONNIE: Well don't say I didn't warn you, if you go and see her right now you'll be in danger of severe frostbite.

Joseph grimaces, knowing full well what Connie had said was no exaggeration.

Joseph nods, before taking a deep intake of breath.

JOSEPH: I'll take my chances.

CONNIE: You are either brave, or stupid I can't decide which.

Joseph opens the door, feeling uneasy. Jac stares at Joseph with those steely green eyes. He was left in no doubt what that 'look' meant. He clears his throat, ready for the pure bile that he fully expects to come shooting in his direction.

JAC: Connie said it was you who resuscitated me in the car park?

JOSEPH: That's correct. Shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other.

JAC: I'm surprised you weren't doing a victory jig, shouting yay the witch is dead.

JOSEPH: Jac you couldn't be more wrong, I was utterly petrified. I didn't want to lose you!

JAC(Chuckles) Funny that, and there was me thinking, you didn't give a toss about me. What was the last thing you said? Oh yes how could I forget? You despise me! At least I now know your true feelings.

JOSEPH: You've got every right to feel bitter, but you know deep down, I was angry when I said those things. I wish I could take back those words but I can't.

JAC: That's what I liked about your father he always had the guts to admit how he really felt. Unlike you, he never made pathetic excuses!

Joseph turns away, trying not to let his anger show. Because he knew Jac was trying to rile him.

JAC:(Mock concern in her voice) What's the matter Joseph, touched a nerve have I?

Joseph grits his teeth, and turns round to face the woman who was intent on spitting venom at him from every angle.

JOSEPH: Stop it Jac. I KNOW what you're trying to do, you're hurting, so in turn you hurt me. I can see why you're lashing out. Please believe me when I tell you I do care about you.

JAC: The only reason you saved me, was so you would have one less thing to feel guilty about. Lets face it you still carry the blame for your brother's death, as well as not being there when your father needed you. Where were you then? Doing the typical Byrne thing, of burying your head in the sand, hoping that anything you didn't like would just go away.

Joseph was loathed to admit that most of what Jac said was indeed true. He still struggled to come to terms with both deaths. One thing he was sure of though, he hadn't saved Jac through guilt. He finally decided to bite the bullet.

JOSEPH: You want to know the real reason why I couldn't bare to let you go! Because even though you drive me clinically insane with your sniping, cutting remarks, and your, at times warped behaviour. I do love you.

Jac had shown no outward sign of emotion apart from hatred, and a burning sense of anger. Now though tears began to fall. Pain began to overwhelm her, only this time it was not just physical pain, which she had coped with thus far. But mental anguish, here was the man she had loved for so long finally telling her that in spite of everything he did love her. But Jac couldn't return those simple words. In her eyes Joseph had turned her life upside down by rejecting her just over a week ago, he may as well have been driving the car that had hit her and left her for dead. Jac heard the following words come out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

JAC: You can go and jump off a cliff for all I care!

Joseph pauses choosing his words very carefully he said...

JOSEPH: You can slam shut as many doors in my face as you wish. But I will keep knocking until you let me in...

Thanks for the reviews. I hope you enjoy this.