Chapter 16
The sun streaked into Sue's hospital room. It was a beautiful day. The night nurse strolled back into the area, checking on all of her patients.
"Good morning." She said to Sue.
"Good morning." Sue answered.
"Today's moving day from what I hear." The nurse said.
"Yes." Sue said rubbing her eyes still trying to wake up fully. "Nurse Tillie? I think I need to make a trip to the little girls' room." She said.
"Well then, I think we need to take that catheter out. Let me get some help." She said leaving the room. She returned a minute later with Anne at her side.
"Hey there sunshine!" Anne said happily.
"Do you like your job that much Anne, or are you just trying to make us feel better?" Sue teased.
"A little of both I guess." She answered. Tillie prepared to remove the catheter. Anne held her hand while talking to her, trying to keep Sue's mind off what was going on.
"So, that was a nice change of relationship status last night…" Anne began.
"It wasn't what you thought, or what I hoped." Sue assured.
"Well, I'm just an old lady who's been out of the dating game for a very long time, but I can still pick out want and desire on a man's face when I see it." Anne commented, catching Tillie's attention.
"Would that be that hunk with the incredibly sexy chocolate brown eyes I saw leaving here last night?" Tillie asked raising her eyebrow at them.
"That would be him." Anne answered.
"He's certainly a handsome man." Tillie teased back. Sue's face grew a darker shade of crimson. "And he's yours?" She asked. Sue's face shot up, not really knowing how to answer that question. "Lucky woman."
"We're friends…" Sue argued.
"Uh huh." Tillie said as she finished with Sue. "We're headed to the little girls' room right now." Tillie informed Anne.
"Oh, you go ahead, I'll take over from here." Anne said.
"OK, thanks. You have a good day." Tillie said. As she walked through the door she turned back to Sue, waving to get her attention. "Tell gorgeous I won't toss him out if he stops by tonight." She winked at Sue who was blushing intently and left.
"You guys…" Sue whined.
"Hey there!" Lucy called as she watched Sue cross the hall.
"Lucy!" Sue called back, happy to see her friend.
"Where are you headed?" She asked.
"Bathroom." Anne answered, and then, we're going to give her the boot. We need that room for actual sick people.
"Oh, and I'm what?" Sue asked.
"Faking to get more time out of work!" Anne teased.
"Uh!" Sue protested, taking the joke further.
"She wouldn't do that." Lucy assured.
"No, I guess not… not if that handsome young G-man is there to greet her every day!" Anne teased.
"Oh, I see you've met Jack?" Lucy asked noticing the deep blush on Sue's cheeks.
"Quit you two!" She ordered.
A few minutes passed and Sue returned to a waiting wheel chair.
"I can walk." Sue protested.
"I know you can, but it's hospital policy. Get in." Anne replied. Sue did as she was told. Anne walked back into Sue's room and gathered a few of her things, placed them in a box, and gave them to Lucy to carry. "We'll get you all settled in and then we'll get you signed up for your extracurricular class." She said with a wink.
"Extracurricular?" Sue asked frowning.
"Yep. PT. You'll need it for that shoulder and arm if you ever want to shoot a gun again." Anne explained.
"Well, then we're all set then, I don't want to shoot a gun." Sue said with a smile, hopeful that would get her out of her new class.
"You're quitting the FBI?" She asked.
"Sue doesn't carry a gun." Lucy explained.
"Ahh. Well, how about, if you ever want to hold those babies you made this choice for…" Anne said suggestively with a raised brown.
"OK, OK, torture me if you must." Sue agreed.
"Thought you'd see it my way." Anne laughed as she pushed Sue down the hall and around a corner.
"Will you stop by?" Sue asked.
"Oh, you're not getting rid of me that easily. I told you, I'm in this for the long haul with you, and I meant that. You're stuck with me until you check out on Saturday." Anne reassured. Sue smiled, feeling more at ease with her new surroundings.
"Lucy, do you want to help since her parents or Jack aren't here?" Anne asked.
"Sure. What do you need me to do?" She asked.
"Can you help her walk? Just spot her. She held her own pretty well in the way to tinkle." Anne laughed.
"Sure." Lucy said, enjoying the chuckle. Sue wrapped her arm around Sue's waste and helped her to her feet. The pair walked gingerly down the hall and around a corner. Sue stopped to watch as the world bustled around their daily chores oblivious to what was going on in her world that very minute. The continued their walk.
XOXOXOX
Jack woke for the first time in a few days in his own bed. He hadn't actually slept long, but it was good to stretch his whole body out and rest his head on his pillow. Most of the night had been spent laying staring at the ceiling of his bedroom watching the lights from the street below dance above him. His mind full of thoughts of Sue. His own words began to haunt him. He'd told her father that he'd planned on marrying her. He meant it, he wanted to, but didn't know the first step in making that happen. He knew he would have to talk to his higher ups and hope there was some 'head over heels in love with your partner' loophole clause that would allow them to change their relationship. At some point he'd turned onto his side and made a deliberate attempt to not think about Sue or their dilemma. He soon found he was unsuccessful. At two Jack gave up his fight for sleep and went for a job, hoping to wear himself out physically so he could crash when his head hit the pillow again. By 3:30, he was finally asleep. He'd hoped his mind would take him to an old case, or maybe a childhood memory, but it didn't. His dreams were haunted by Sue, and how much he needed her, and how much he wanted to be more than her friend. In each scene that played in his head, Sue rejected his advances, causing him to lose confidence as they progressed.
"I need a cat!" Jack mumbled as he pulled the pillow over his head hoping for peaceful, hopeful dreams.
When the morning sun streaked into his bedroom, it was just past 7. He showered and dressed for the day, wanting to get into the office early enough to broach the subject with D about his pending relationship with Sue. When he walked into the main entrance the smell of muffins caught his attention. He was instinctively drawn to the café for hot coffee and fresh coffee cake muffins, hot out of the oven. As he passed the bulletin board on his way to the elevator, he noticed a signed pinned to the board offering free kittens. Jack smiled, maybe this was a sign. He tore off the phone number and made his way up to his office.
D hadn't made his way upstairs yet, so out of curiosity, Jack called the number on the tab. He made an appointment at lunch to stop and see the litter. He wasn't sure he knew what he was doing; he'd always been more of a dog person.
D's shadow crossed the threshold of the office. Jack took a deep breath and followed him in.
"Hey Jack, How's Sue?" D asked.
"Last night she was good. I haven't seen her yet today."
"I thought you'd moved in there." D teased.
"Yeah, they thought so too. They asked for first and last month's rent. I thought I should go home." He laughed.
"For a man who spent the first night this week in his own bed, you don't look like you slept too well." D noticed.
"Sleep being the operative word there." Jack acknowledged. "I have a lot on my mind, that's all." Jack said.
"Something keeping you up? Something going on you want to talk about?" D offered.
"Sue." Jack said.
"I thought you said she was OK? Something change?" D asked.
"Not health wise." He sighed. "Are there any positions that will get me out of Sue's chain of command- off the same team?" Jack asked tentatively.
"Ahh." D said understanding. Jack smiled, blushing lightly.
"I'll inquire for you." D said. Jack sat on the edge of his desk. D walked to him, giving his shoulder a friendly, understanding squeeze. "I'll let you know." He said.
"Thanks Dimitrius, I really appreciate it." Jack said shaking his hand.
"Yeah. Hey go give Sue a hug from us. Donna and I are going to drop by tonight." D said.
"She'll love to see you guys." Jack said. "Her parents are here, and I'm sure she'd love the distraction!" He joked.
Jack walked to his desk, checked some email and phone messages. One by one the rest of the team showed up- all surprised to see Jack and bombarding him with questions about Sue.
XOXOXOXOX
At the hospital Sue and Lucy were getting her settled in her new room. She had a roommate this time. She was an elderly woman who'd just had her eighth cancer surgery. Carla and Bill stopped by to relieve Lucy. They visited for a bit, but wanted to go to the apartment to get it ready for Sue's homecoming the following day. A young woman came in asking Sue what she wanted for breakfast. The woman next to her offered her opinion with a happy giggle.
"The waffles are pretty good, but their French toast is to die for!" Then she laughed heartedly. Sue didn't acknowledge the woman's comment and ordered waffles.
"Not a fan of French toast?" The elderly woman asked. Still no response. The woman rolled her eyes in disgust at Sue. "Not much of a talker either I see, just my luck!" the woman commented. Sue didn't notice her. The woman waved her hand toward Sue, catching her attention. "Bahh! Just my luck!" She muttered.
"Oh, hi." Sue said cheerfully. "I'm Sue." She said.
"Oh, talking to me now are you?" She asked spitefully.
"I'm sorry?" Sue asked. There was a pause between them. "Oh, were talking to me before?" Sue asked.
"Do you see anyone else in the room?" She asked snidely.
"I'm so sorry. I'm deaf, I didn't know you were talking to me." Sue said smiling at the older woman.
"Oh." She said, blushing. "Then I guess I owe you an apology. I thought you were one of those 'poor me' people who was going to wallow in your own pity the entire time we're going to room together.
"Ahh… I try not to be like that." Sue said. Just then, the door opened and breakfast was delivered.
"Room service. I love this hotel." She joked. "French toast is better… just a thought for tomorrow's breakfast."
"Thanks." Sue said as she poured the syrup on her waffle and cut into individual bites.
"Let's try this again shall we?" the woman said. "Angie- Angie Silva." She said, pulling herself up in her bed some.
"Sue Thomas. It's nice to meet you." Sue said.
"First time staying at Anne's humble abode?" she joked.
"Yes." Sue said.
"Pretty thing like yourself, don't tell me, let me guess…" She said with a sly smile on her lips. "…breast augmentation!" she laughed.
"Actually…" Sue added also laughing, but blushing slightly.
"Oh, honey, don't be shy about it. I've had both of mine done. When Anne comes back in I'll have her get them out of the drawer over there and show you!" She joked. Sue found herself again laughing. "If you decide to reconstruct, or go fake, go bigger!" She laughed.
"Well, I only had one removed, I don't think bigger is the best idea, I'd be lopsided!" Sue laughed again.
"You certainly would be getting looks then, wouldn't you!" Angie commented with a wide smile.
"You're hysterical- you have a great attitude." Sue said. "Do you mind if I ask…" Sue began.
"Oh, not at all. This is my eighth surgery- and last I think. This one was my left kidney. I'm about hollow now…" She laughed again. Anne came back into the room.
"My two favorite guests… if you don't settle down in here, I'm going to have to separate you!" She teased.
"Annie, sweetie, show Sue my boobs will ya?" she called.
"No- that's ok." Sue said. Anne laughed as she was leaving.
"OK you two, keep the ruckus down in here. You know the routine. You need me, I'm at the other end of that button." Anne said as she closed the door behind her.
"I love her." Angie said. "She's been a rock through this whole ordeal."
"Yeah, me too." Sue agreed.
"So how long you been deaf?" She asked.
"I can't remember not being deaf. I was about 18 months old." Sue explained.
"And you can read lips?" She asked.
"Yeah, my mother insisted I have a normal childhood." She explained rolling her eyes a bit.
"Sounds like a determined woman." Angie chuckled.
"She is. You'll meet her later, I'm sure." Sue smiled. "So, you said this was your eighth surgery?" Sue asked.
"Yep. Hysterectomy, double mastectomy, piece of my right lung, piece of my liver, gall bladder, part of my colon, and now my left kidney." She said keeping track of how many on her fingers as she counted them off. "Like I said, I'm about hollow!" She laughed.
"You're awfully cheerful for someone who's gone through so much." Sue said.
"God's been real good to me. He gave me a good man for 59 years, four great kids, nine grand children, and one great grandchild. I've had a good life, can't complain over what I can't control." She explained.
"Wow. You have such a great attitude toward life." Sue said.
"I like to think it's a great attitude toward death. I decided to look at the positive side of things a long time ago. I do everything I can here to help, and do everything I want to do, then in the end I get my shot at the pearly gates." She said smiling softly. "I even made a bucket list when I was first diagnosed which I'm nearly done with." Angie explained.
"A what?" Sue asked.
"Bucket list. You know, a list of everything you want to do before you kick the bucket." She said. "You got one?"
"No." Sue admitted.
"Awe, you should make one. Best thing I did. It got me motivated to do stuff other than sit around feeling sorry for myself." Angie said.
"What sorts of things?" Sue asked.
"Well, let's see… I went hiking, jumped out of a perfectly good airplane! I went to Australia and on an African safari. I always wanted to do that…" She said, thinking back. "What an incredible experience." She thought again. "I went deep sea fishing on a fishing boat, won't do that again! Not as much fun as I thought it would be." She admitted.
"Wow…" Sue said.
"Yeah… I told you, I had a good life. I took my great grandson to the Grand Canyon and rode a mule down. I don't know how much he'll remember when he's your age, but he was twelve when we did that." Angie remembered fondly.
"Those will be memories he'll be telling stories to his kids about when he's older." Sue said smiling. "What's left on your list? If you don't mind my asking."
"Not at all. Honestly, there's not too much. I want to see Nova Scotia, always thought it was beautiful up there. While I'm over the border, I might make my way through a few of the tourist attraction areas like Toronto, Montreal and Niagara Falls." Angie added. "I'm hoping to be able to hold on long enough to be able to rock my great-great granddaughter when she arrives in a few weeks."
"Sounds nice." Sue said. "Congratulations, a fifth generation, that's quite an accomplishment."
"Thank you, we're very excited. I would like to be around to see him actually marry that girl friend of his, but that, I think is a bit much to ask for. They've set their wedding date for next July." She said. "So, what would you put on a bucket list?" She asked.
"I don't know." She said.
"Come on, there's gotta be something you've always wanted to do." Angie nudged.
"Rocking my own babies would be nice." Sue answered.
"No children yet?" Angie asked.
"No husband yet." Sue answered with a smile. Just as the words left her lips, Jack opened the door and came in.
"Hi. You scared me half to death." He said as he took her hand gently in his. Angie instantly picked up on their attraction and smiled.
"Why?" Sue asked.
"I forgot Anne said you were moving today and no one reminded me. My heart sank when I opened the door and you weren't in there." He explained.
"Oh, sorry. I would have thought Lucy would have mentioned it when she got to the office." Sue said.
"I must have passed her on the way back." Jack said. "I'm just glad you're ok." He looked up and smiled. "You have a roommate this time too?"
"Angie Silva, this is Jack Hudson." Sue introduced them.
"Nice to meet you Jack Hudson." Angie said smiling. "Sue, I'm going to take a little nap. Wake me later on, will ya?" She asked.
"Sure thing." Sue said as Angie drew the curtain giving them some privacy.
"How are you feeling?" Jack asked as he pulled a chair up.
"Good actually. They're taking me for PT soon. I'm not looking forward to it, but I guess if I ever want to play tennis I need to do it, right?" Sue asked.
"You don't play tennis." Jack commented, confused, but smiling.
"No, but better than thinking of firing a gun." Sue said smiling back.
"One for the bucket list…" Angie called. "Oh, damn! Jack, I forget, she can't hear me… please tell her that?"
"Umm, Angie wants me to tell you she said 'One for the bucket list'?" Jack said, more as a question than a comment. "Bucket list?"
"Yeah… Angie was telling me some of the things she put on her bucket list that she's done. Things like sky diving and hiking in the Grand Canyon." Sue said. Jack raised his eye brows.
"Impressive. You don't want to skydive, do you?" He asked.
"No." She laughed. "I have to think about it because I don't know what I would put on a list of my own." Sue said. "How's work?"
"The same." Jack answered.
"Anything new on the Newman case?" Sue asked.
"No, no new leads. Tara's got lead on it now, I'm going to follow up on a few things this afternoon." Jack said. "I actually have an appointment after lunch, but I'll be back after that." He said.
"Why don't you concentrate on work, come back later?" Sue suggested.
"Can't do that. Anne has promised to let me go to your PT and learn how to do the exercises with you so I can help you with them at home. I'll show Lucy and your mom how to do them too, so we can cover you." He answered.
"Cover or smother?" Sue asked.
"You need to do them, and we all care about you, you know that." He said.
"I know." Sue said. "So, what's the appointment for?" She asked.
"Umm, let's just say, it's a surprise." Jack said smiling at her. She arched an eye brow in his direction. "OK… since it's only about 10:30? What time do I have you until?" She asked, blushing slightly at the suggestiveness of her question.
"Umm… I can stay til about 12. I have to meet Tara to go over a few notes, meet with a witness, and then there's that appointment." He said.
"Still not going to tell me?" She asked
"Nope." Jack said laughing.
"Sue?" Anne asked as she opened the door. "PT time. Glad to see you Jack. Do you have time to join us?" She asked.
"I do." He answered.
"We'll be back Angie. Do you want anything while we're out? Maybe I can sneak out for something?" Sue said.
"I'm good Hun, thanks. See you in a bit." Angie called. "Damn! Jack…" She called.
"I've got you covered." Jack said as he relayed the message. Anne helped Sue into the wheel chair and the three strolled into the elevator up to the physical therapy department.
"OK, we're here. " Anne said as she locked Sue in place and retrieved a therapist. "Pam, this is my new star student, Sue Thomas. Sue this is Pam Tellier. She's one of the best we have."
"Nice to meet you." Pam said as she held out her hand to Sue. She looked at Jack and shook his hand as well.
"Jack." He said.
"I'm going to show you some very simple exercises you and your husband can do at home during recovery." Pam began.
"Uhh, he's not my husband, he's just a friend." Sue explained. Anne chuckled from behind the group.
"OH…" Pam uttered. "I'm sorry for the mix up."
"Yeah, that was my take on things too Pam." Anne laughed as she left.
"Well, Jack… are you planning on helping Sue with these exercises?" she asked.
"Yes. I'll show the others as well." He answered, his cheeks a bit pink from the now common mix up.
"Good. Let's get started. I'm going to show you how to help her up from either a sitting or laying position." She said as she hoisted her from the chair. Sue walked, although slowly, to a table.
"How can I help?" Jack asked.
"Tie up the johnny so it doesn't fall off when we're doing the exercises." Pam answered. Jack walked to Sue's back and reached for the ties to her top. His fingers nervously tightened the top tie and made bow ties of the next two. "You're going to want to wear something loose fitting for the first month or so, don't push it. Also, something button up, no pullovers until you can get your arm over your head, you don't want to pull anything."
"OK." Sue said taking metal notes.
"I want you to do the everyday things like eating and brushing your hair and teeth as best you can, as you usually do. Don't baby this side, it'll only hurt in the long run. Alright, lay down, on your back. Put some pillows on her left side. You want your wrist above your elbow, your elbow higher than your shoulder and above your heart." Pam said propping the pillows so Sue's arm would be in the right position. Jack watched closely. "You're going to want to do this two to three times a day for about 45 minutes each time. Now, once you're comfortable, open and close your hand." Sue began to make a fist and release it. "Great, do this about 20-25 times." Jack counted as Sue continued her exercising. She made it to 17 before wanting to quit. She winced in pain, but Jack encouraged her through the pain to finish her full 25.
"Great. It's harder than it sounds." She sighed as Sue nodded in agreement. "I pray I never have to be on that side of this routine."
"Me too." Sue said with a smile. "What's next?" She asked.
"Elbow bending." She said.
"Why do I think that's going to be more torture than it should be?" Sue joked.
"Because it is." Pam answered honestly.
"Very slowly, put your arm down to the table, then bend it back up. Almost as if you're flexing your muscle." Pam explained. "Do the same amount, 3-4 times a day. This will help with swelling. I'm going to have you work on breathing too. I want you to take very deep breaths. Bring it in using your diaphragm." She said.
Sue took a deep breath, but in her chest. Pam shook her head.
"More like this." Pam said as she filled her belly with air. "Push your belly button up toward the ceiling." Sue tried again. "There ya go. Let it out nice and slow… no hyperventilating on me." She said laughing. "What do you think Jack, can you handle this? I'll be back in a bit." Pam asked.
"Uh… sure. I'll give it a try." He said, although a bit nervous.
Sue slowly began to try the new set of exercises while working on her breathing exercises. "Why does it always sound easier than it really is?" She groaned.
"Probably because the person explaining and demonstrating didn't just have major surgery… You're doing great, only a few more to go." He encouraged. Sue paused at 19, taking an additional deep breath but pushed herself. Jack took Sue's other hand in his and gave her an encouraging smile. Her breathing had him caught up in his own thoughts, some less innocent than others. Sue finally squeezed his hand, snapping him out of his daze.
"I thought I was the one who's deaf here?" She teased.
"Sorry… lost in thought I guess." He said making an excuse.
"Care to share?" She asked. Jack blushed and shook his head. Pam came in before Sue could press the subject.
"How's it going in here?" She asked.
"Good. I finished the exercises you described." Sue said.
"Great. Now, here's a hand out for you, read it over when you get back to your room. You can let me know or Anne if you have any questions. It basically describes what you want or what to expect from the PT. You want to feel stretching of the skin, a slight burn is ok too. You never want to feel pain. Numbness, tingling in your chest and armpit area are totally normal, it should get better with time. Keep doing the routine unless you see redness and swelling, then call your doctor. Even if you notice the symptoms getting worse, keep going. Most women get a little worse before they get better." Pam explained.
"So, this could hurt worse than it does now?" Jack asked with a pained look on his face.
"It could." Pam answered. "You don't ever want to jerk or bounce your arm, that will only make things worse. You need to heal on the inside as well as the outside, so give your body the chance to do that. Slow, steady movements. If you can't do the routine without help, make an appointment with a PT place. We have some really good ones in the city." She explained. She asked Jack to help Sue into a sitting position. Pam laid on the floor holding a yard stick in her hands. "Palms up, lift the stick above your head until you feel the stretch in your left arm. Hold it for 5 seconds and repeat this 7 times or so." She watched to make sure both Sue and Jack understood. "This next one I call chicken wings, always makes me crave hot wings too…" She joked. "Lay flat on your back, put your hands behind your head, fingers entwined. Pull your elbows together to meet as close together as you can with just the stretching feeling, like this…" She said, demonstrating once again. "Do these 5-7 times."
"Should I be writing this down?" Jack asked. "I'm not sure I can remember all of this." He said seriously.
"No, it's all on the pamphlet." Pam explained handing him the paperwork. She continued to show and explain exercises for Sue to try while she's sitting and standing. She also went over the list of things to watch for such as dizziness, weakness, tingling or heaviness in her chest or arms.
"It's a lot to take in." Sue commented glancing at the paper that Jack was not looking over.
"It is, but you have the paper as a guideline, you can always call us or your doctor. We're here to help you." Pam reassured her. She patted Jack on the shoulder. "You two try some of these, and if you need help, or instruction, let me know."
Jack helped Sue back onto the table and adjusted her arm correctly on the pillows. Pam watched from her office window and smiled knowing that Jack had actually listened and paid attention to her instruction.
The hour passed slowly and at the end, Sue was in agony. Her muscles felt as if she hadn't used them in months. Pam showed Jack one last trick to easing the muscles. She gently rubbed and massaged the muscle under Sue's arm. Jack was visibly uncomfortable.
"Umm, I think I'll have her Mom come back up here later, you can show her that one." He said blushing slightly.
"Hmm, just friends huh?" Pam said under her breath with a smirk. It was loud enough for Jack to hear her though. His eyes met hers as his cheeks burned. She helped Sue back into her wheel chair as Jack took his place behind her. Pam waved him away from the handles allowing her to drive.
"You're transparent Mr. Hudson. If she hasn't noticed, she's blind as well as deaf." Pam said glancing at him. The rest of the trip back to Sue's room was silent.