Chapter 6: We saved the girl. Now what?
'Follow your heart. Even if it takes you to Wyoming.'
-Unknown
As the doors opened Rebecca's eyes widened as her breath caught in her throat. She already knew Wyoming was beautiful, but to actually see a functioning town. A fully efficient town with the wonders of electricity and running water. She never thought she would see anything like it ever again.
They rode slowly in on their horses. She felt like she were in a Wild West movie, strolling into town with a vengeance. Except, they weren't here for vengeance. There wasn't anything else left to avenge. Hopefully, they could finally live in peace.
She looked around at the buildings. They had everything. A hospital, a school house and event center. She was thankful there wasn't a church. She's had enough religion.
She could feel the townspeople eyes on them. No doubt they were taking in their rough appearances. They were all bruised and bloody. The clothes tattered, bloodied and wet. They haven't bathed in weeks. They haven't had a good meal even longer.
She was afraid of what lie ahead. Their journey had been treacherous. The worst was behind them. Joel and Ellie had a place here. She was afraid they wouldn't accept her.
She watched as a tall dark haired man came running towards them. Joel hopped off his horse and enveloped the man in a tight embrace. This was probably his brother Tommy. Ellie had told her about him.
He was a handsome man. It was obvious in his appearance that he's lived an easier life than Joel. He was well groomed and well fed. His hair freshly clean. He looked like a goddamned Princess while Joel suffered because he thought he deserved it after Sarah died. She understood his need for self exile and punishment. He needed to realize he didn't have to punish himself anymore.
Ellie ran over to Rebecca and stood beside her, whispering,'Joel wanted Tommy to take me first. He used to be a Firefly.' She shook her head, leaning close to her,'I don't want to go back.'
Rebecca frowned as she tightly held onto Ellie's hand,'That's not gonna happen. I swear to you.' She met her gaze, wanting the teenager to see the sincerity in them,'I'll kill them both if I have to.'
Ellie nodded as she looked over at Joel and Tommy warily. She trusted Joel. She just didn't know if Tommy would believe they did the right thing.
Tommy looked over at the woman standing with Ellie and bit back a frown, not wanting to upset his older brother. He sighed as he looked Joel's face. He looked as if he's been through Hell. Maybe he had. He had cuts and bruises on his face. His knuckles has cuts and bruises on them. No doubt he fought like hell.
Ellie didn't look any better. The woman standing next to her looked as if she's seen better days.
'I take it things didn't…end up as planned.' Tommy treaded lightly, knowing his brother's temper,'You're alive so I'll count my blessings.'
He heaved a dry laugh and took the rifle off his shoulder, handing it back to him,'I'm glad it was me and not you. Marlene is dead. So is everybody else. They're gone.' He shook his head,'It was fucking bullshit. They were gonna kill her. I ain't ever putting her in that position again. That's the last time we'll speak of it. Do you understand?'
Tommy's eyes widened as he nodded,'I understand. I'm sorry, Joel.' He sighed and shook his head, looking over at the woman,'Who is she?'
'We found her in Silver Lake. Ellie got tangled with some religious cult. They killed her husband. The leader forced her to marry him. Real fucked up shit.'
'Jesus.' Tommy muttered,'Maria will make sure she's taken care of. We'll put her in one of the apartments in town. Me and some of the guys have been working on the house. I figured you could help with the repairs. You've always been better at repairing fences than me anyway.' He shrugged,'I knew you would come back.'
Joel nodded as he placed a hand on Tommy's shoulder,'I made a promise.' He cleared his throat,'I…just me and Ellie to live the rest of our life in peace. I want her to know what it's like to be a teenager. To get an education and make her own choices.'
'We can do that for her.' Tommy nodded and smiled,'You and her will be happy.'
Joel looked over at Rebecca, who was holding tightly onto Ellie's hand. She was clutching her rifle with the other hand. He wanted to tell her she didn't need to fight anymore. She could relax here. Maria and the other women would make sure she had everything she needed.
Rebecca's eyes met his and he felt like the wind were being knocked out of him. She could say so much without saying a damned thing. He's known her a month, but he didn't really know her. He wanted to keep it that way. She was a young woman who now had the freedom to do whatever she wanted.
Joel cut his eyes back to Tommy,'She's a good woman. Fucking smart too. Tough as nails. She saved me and Ellie's life. She used to be a nurse. She can make medicine. She knows plants and shit.' He waved his hand in the air,'I don't understand what the hell she's talking about half the time, but she knows what she's doing.' He shrugged,'I figured you could use her.'
Tommy's eyes widened and he nodded,'Of course. We were just talking about needing more medical help in the town hall meeting last night. We could use her.'
Joel rolled his eyes and groaned,'I ain't doing that town hall meeting bullshit.'
'I know.' Tommy smirked,'You used to make me go to Sarah's parent teacher conferences, remember? For her entire freshman year they thought I was her father or your husband.'
Joel cracked a smile. He could find himself talking about Sarah more. It was starting to become easier. It felt good to reminisce about her with someone who knew her personally.
Joel sighed as he looked over at Rebecca and Ellie,'Rebecca. That's her name. Ellie likes her. She trusts her. I don't want her to lose that. Rebecca. Make sure she's taken care of here.'
'Is she your girl?' Tommy had to ask, the curiosity weighing heavy on his mind.
Joel laughed softly and shook his head,'No. She's collateral damage.'
Rebecca heard Joel's words and laughed to herself, shaking her head. He was such an asshole, but she expected it. She was merely cargo after all. He held up his end of the bargain. He got her to freedom.
She took a deep breath to steel herself and led Ellie over towards the men.
She averted her eyes between them and looked up at Tommy,'She didn't save the world. It's not her burden. So you can just forget it. No vaccine. No cure. Get over it. You bring her to them and I'll kill you. I don't care if Joel kills me or they hang me. Do you understand?'
Tommy held his hands up in surrender. Joel seemed to be rubbing off on her. She seemed to be just as over it as Ellie and Joel.
'No one's gonna hurt anybody. You're safe here.' Tommy held his hand out towards her, smiling warmly,'We're very happy to have you. Welcome to Jackson County. I'm Tommy. Joel's younger brother.'
She looked down at Ellie, who was staring up at Joel warily. She loved him, but she wasn't very happy with him right now. She needed some time to forgive him.
Rebecca took a deep breath and slowly put her hand in his, shaking it firmly,'Rebecca. Thank you for your hospitality.'
Her attention was diverted to a tall African American woman. She was beautiful. Hair braided hair shiny and well taken care of. Her skin was smooth and flawless. Her eyes lowered to her swollen stomach. She had to be about six months along by now.
Her heart clenched tight fully in her chest, thinking about things that could never be. Sure, she could find some young suitor in town. When she got her head right and her body back together. She was sure she could find someone willing, but she wanted to get reacquainted with herself. She wanted to know what it was like to be alone. She's never really been alone before. She was thrilled to know what it felt like to sleep in a bed and not have to share it with David or any of his men.
Tommy wrapped his arm around the woman's shoulders,'This is my wife Maria.' He stared at the woman lovingly, the adoration clear on his face,'This is Rebecca. She needs some care. Joel said she's a nurse and…a apothecary.'
Joel's eyebrows raised. He didn't know what the hell the second part meant. He thought what she did with plants was sone hippy or witchy thing. His southern roots ran deep. He recalled his Chilean grandmother mixing all sorts of herbs in a pot. He used to be fascinated with it as a child, thinking it was magic. She used it to help people. Help him.
He watched as Maria gently led Rebecca and Ellie away from him. He knew they were in good hands. Ellie would come back to him. She needed some time to forgive him.
Rebecca looked back over her shoulder at him. A blanket had been wrapped around her shoulders by one of the elderly women. She had tears in her eyes as she gave him a smile of gratitude.
He wanted to say something, but sometimes some things are better left unsaid. He wasn't good with words anyway. Ever since she's met him she's gotten nothing but beaten, almost killed and raped. She would stay far away from him. He would make sure of it.
He was no good to anyone. Not even to himself.
Rebecca turned her head as she walked with the women to one of the apartment buildings. He stood there alone, staring at Ellie as she looked back at him. She smiled at him reassuringly, giving him hope that not all was lost between them. He smiled back, making a silent vow to work day abs night on repairing the farmhouse for them. They had a sheep ranch to run. Guitar learning to do. Maybe he could actually salvage some sort of life for himself.
He was content with living the rest of his life in solitude. He's had his fair share of heartbreak in his life. Ellie was more than enough for him.
Tommy patted him on the back and sighed,'Let's get you cleaned up.'
He nodded as he followed his brother. He needed a shower and a beer.
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Rebecca was given a shower before anything else. She marveled as she stood under the spray of the hot water. She closed her eyes as she stood under the scalding hot water, letting it soothe her aching bones. She hissed slightly as the hot water ran over the fresh bruises and cuts on her skin.
She looked down at the bruises between her thighs, closing her eyes and sighing to herself. She had suspicions she was raped in the hospital while unconscious. She felt it sore at the hospital, but didn't have time to dwell on it. She was glad Joel killed every single one of them motherfuckers. She'll forever be thankful to him for that.
She knew he didn't want to be her friend. He didn't get close with too many people. Ellie being the exception to the rule. Tommy too. She wouldn't force him to be her friend. She would make friends here. She was sure of it. She just wished he would understand she didn't want to hurt him. All she wanted was to be his friend.
She finished her shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She changed into the fresh clothes given to her by Maria and walked out to her apartment.
She was surprised they gave her a place to call her own. It had a living room, kitchen and separate bathroom. It was modestly decorated and she couldn't believe this was hers to call her own.
She looked around the room in disbelief,'Why do I have this?'
Maria sighed as she walked over to her,'Tommy told me Joel vouched for you. He made Tommy promise you would he taken care of.'
She was slightly angry and thankful he did that for that. She was a grown woman who shouldn't be dependent on anyone, but she wouldn't be here without him. She would thank him for this. Whether he liked it or not.
Maria placed her hand on her shoulder,'They rape you?'
Her words were blunt, but there wasn't time for pleasantries. Time was of the essence. She was a nurse. She could be practical,'Yes. I don't know if you have it, but-'
'We do.' Maria nodded as she handed her a ziplock bag of two pills,'This stays between us. One of the doctors brought me some…antibiotics to give you just in case. I told him you were a nurse and an apothecary. He seemed rather excited by that. We need nurses more than ever. You being here is quite welcome. We're not just doing this for Joel.' She sighed,'I'm not doing this for Joel.'
'You don't like him.' Rebecca's stated matter of factly.
Maria shook her head and sighed,'I don't know him enough to like him or not. I only know what Tommy told me.'
Rebecca thought about asking her about Joel's life before all this started. She was sure Tommy told her, but she didn't feel comfortable with that. She would rather him tell her his story himself. She would likely never live to see the day.
'He's a good man.' Rebecca looked the woman square in the eyes,'I'll earn my keep here.'
Maria nodded and smiled softly,'I'm sure you will, but I don't want you to worry about that right now. I want you to get some rest. You deserve it. I left some food on the table for you and some tea. ' She looked over her face and frowned,'You probably want some time alone to process things.'
'Where's Ellie?' Rebecca's eyes widened,'Is she okay?'
'She's perfectly fine. She's cleaned up, fed and is with some of the girls. She was asking about you. I told her you were being taken care of.'
Rebecca nodded and sighed in relief,'You'll make sure her and Joel stay together?'
'Tommy's almost finished on the repairs on the house. It's a big house further out from the commune, but protected by our perimeters. I didn't want to live there. It was too…desolate for me, but it used to be a ranch. It has a farmhouse and everything.'
Rebecca smiled softly. It's exactly what he talked about with Ellie. It would be perfect for the two of them. She knew Joel would get her a dog. She could see him herding sheep. A grumpy old man like him was made for the solitary life.
Maria looked over Rebecca's face and sighed,'I'll leave you to get some rest. You look like you need it.'
'Thanks.' Rebecca snorted and looked up at him, nodding her chin up at her,'Really though. Thanks.'
Maria nodded and smiled softly,'Don't thank me. You're free of having to answer to any man ever again. You can tell them all to fuck off if you want to. You don't have to apologize to me or anybody else. You don't have to explain yourself. Do whatever the fuck YOU want. Be who YOU want to be.'
Rebecca met her gaze. She was really going to like this woman. She nodded silently, not knowing what to say. She sometimes were at a loss for words when expression her emotions. She used to be so warm and affectionate. Before the outbreak began. It's been so long she's forgotten what a warm and caring touch felt like. A loving touch. She could find that within friendships and bonds she made with people. Like she had with Ellie.
Maria parted on those words. She walked out of the apartment, closing the door behind her. She listened to the sounds of her feet walking down the hallway.
She stared around the empty apartment, wondering what she should do next. Her grumbling stomach decided for her. She would eat, take her medicine and sleep. Then she would find Ellie.
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One week later…
Rebecca slept for almost four days. She didn't leave her room. She got up, ate whatever food was left for her and went back to sleep. She pulled the covers up over her, still in awe of the smell of freshly laundered sheets. For a moment she thought this was all a cruel dream, like she died in that horrible hospital, but she was very nice alive.
The pure adrenaline she had been feeling wore off. She began truly grieving. For her family, friends and Ben. She went through her stage of grief privately, letting herself succumb to her depression for a few days.
Some moments, she writhed in pain on the bed, clutching her stomach as she let out gut wrenching sobs. She tried to muffle the cried into the pillow, but she knew others heard her. No one bothered her though. They left her alone in her grief. This is something she needed to do on her own.
Exactly a week later, she suddenly woke up one morning, Joel's words booming loudly in her mind. The images of when she almost died in the snow flashing in her mind.
You need to get your shit together.
His words had been loud and clear. Even now. He was right. She needed to get herself together. She needed to get up out of bed and start to rejoin the living. She wouldn't shit on a once in a lifetime opportunity given to her.
She took a shower and changed into fresh clothes. She was surprised to find clothes left in drawers for her. Various sweaters and jeans. She had been wearing the same clothes for months. She started sew the holes in her jeans just to make it through the winter. She was given socks and underwear. Even a bra.
Tears filled her eyes. No. She wouldn't let these people down.
She changed into a sweater and jeans. She pulled on her socks and boots. She pulled up her bootstraps so to speak as she got up from the couch. Her heart pounded hard in her chest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She almost forgot how to behave normally, how to interact with people socially. David conditioned her to be under his control and obey him. He brainwashed her. It took a long time for her to get out from under it. She had train herself to close herself onto anything. Essentially making herself a robot. She didn't want to be like that anymore.
She covered her wet hair with a hat and put on her coat. She needed to find Ellie and make sure she was alright. She was the first thing she thought about when she came out of her haze.
She felt well rested. Her mind was clear and sharp. It felt like a shade had been lifted up in a dark room. She could finally breathe again.
Her apartment was on the top floor of a house renovated into apartments. She almost felt like she was living in a normal town. It was difficult to imagine just outside the perimeters there was nothing but desolation and death.
She walked outside and took a deep breath of clean fresh mountain air. Her body felt well enough for a walk. She was thankful long treks were long behind her. Now she could enjoy light walks for the enjoy of it. She could enjoy things now.
She went to the first building she was brought to when she came here. It was as a sort of 'welcome center.' The doctor checked you out, making sure you weren't infected. She was given blood tests, running her body for any diseases. Thankfully she wasn't pregnant or sick with anything. Thank God for small miracles right?
Maria was the first face she saw. She swore the same woman was some kind of mind reader. She turned around and smiled brightly when she saw her,'Welcome back to the real world.'
'Thanks.' Rebecca opened her mouth to ask and Maria lifted her hand up,'Ellie's gonna start school soon.' She's been adjusting well. It's been a week. You missed…a lot.'
Rebecca could see the look of apprehension on her face, as if she were afraid to tell her something.
'What?' She shook her head, feeling the panic rise up within her. She was feeling so hopeful,'What did I miss? Is it Joel? Did something happen to Joel?'
She remembered the chest pains he got. She recalled the times he stopped walking and took a moment to catch his breath. He would rub his chest soothingly. She could see the telltale signs of a heart attack. He was a high risk factor. He was in his early fifties and led a very stressful lifestyle.
Maria placed a comforting hand on her shoulder,'He's not dead. He did have a heart attack though. He was out on the ranch repairing a fence when it happened. Tommy was there.' She shook her head,'They had to revive him though. The doctors did what they could.'
Tears filled Rebecca's eyes,'Surgery? Are you even equipped for that.'
'We're not Barbarians, Rebecca. We've gathered a group of highly skilled people. He's alive and he's going to stay alive. He's recovering fine. He's gonna be knocked out for a few days. Just to give himself some time to heal. He's lucky to be alive.'
'He is alive though. Right? I want to see him.' She didn't mean to sound so demanding, but Ellie must be so scared. She should've known things were going too smoothly. It always gets worse before it gets better.
Maria nodded and gently guided her by the arm,'Come with me.'
Rebecca nodded silently as she followed her out to the door. She walked with Maria to the hospital. She thought being in a hospital would unnerve her, but it felt right like home.
Maria led her down the corridor and into one of the rooms. It was surprisingly clean. She saw him lying on the bed. His chest was bare and there was a sheet covering the bottom part of him. He was connected to so many machines monitoring his heart. They almost had to go back into the nineties for the technology, but they managed to salvage what equipment they could. It managed to do the trick.
She walked over to his bedside and saw the incision in the middle of his chest. It was cleanly stitched with expert precision. They had a good surgeon.
Her eyes roved over his chest. It was littered with so many scars. Tears filled her eyes. He didn't deserve any more abuse in his life.
Ellie ran into the room and over to her. Rebecca wrapped her arms tightly around her. She closed her eyes, sighing in relief as she felt the little girl's embrace. She was such a friendly face.
She leaned back and held her face in her hands, whispering,'You're a sight for sore eyes, pretty girl.'
Ellie beamed at that. Rebecca reminded herself to call her that often. She loved her smile. She should smile all the time.
Ellie's she's filled with tears as she turned to Joel, lying still and sleeping on the bed,'He died, Becca.'
'He didn't die. He's alive. They saved his life. He's gonna wake up. Get better. Then he's gonna get his lazy ass up, start working out, eating right and start taking better care of himself.' She sighed and she leaned down and stroked her cheeks,'This is just another thing we have to get through. I know it's shitty and unfair, but he's alive. He's gonna stay alive. I'll make sure of it. Before we came here. He swore to me he would take care of you. I made him promise me that. He WILL get through this. '
Ellie stared into her eyes,'You swear?'
'I swear.' She said with as much sincerity as she could muster,'We don't bullshit each other.'
Ellie nodded as tears fell from her eyes,'Okay.'
She seemed to believe her. Maria walked into the room and grabbed Ellie's hand, 'It's time for class.'
Ellie enjoyed school, but she didn't like being away from him. Maria and Tommy thought it was better for her not to spend so much time in hospitals. They said Joel wouldn't want her to spend all day in the hospital with him. They did allow her to visit him two times a day though. She would sit by his bedside and read from the book of puns while he laid under a medically induced coma. She wondered if he could hear her. She hoped he could.
Maria leaned down, whispering in Ellie's ear,'It's time to go.'
Rebecca nodded and smiled softly,'Go. He's gonna be fine. I'm gonna make sure of it. Nurse remember? He'll be my first patient.' She looked up just in time to see the doctor walking into the room.
Maria escorted Ellie out of the room. Rebecca followed her closely. She did seem happier here despite everything, like a weight's been lifted off her shoulders.
She smiled brightly and walked over to him. She stood up straight and proud. Just as mama taught her. She could still hear her words now.
You're a college educated woman, Rebecca Barrett. You make them respect your mind before anything else.
She would make her mama proud today.
She extended her hand outward, 'Rebecca Margaret Barrett. I was a nurse for only two years, but graduated from Loyola university.'
Rebecca didn't know why it was so easy to give her maiden name and not her married last name. It slipped so easily from her lips. The last remnants of her last life stripped forever. It felt liberating in that moment.
The middle aged woman looked her over,'You're a nurse with training? Honey, I don't give a damn if you trained on line. Welcome aboard. I'm Doctor Harding, but you can call me Sharon.' She shrugged,'I'm not formal.'
Rebecca's eyes widened as she was handed a clipboard,'He came in two days ago. He collapsed and lost consciousness. He was ten minute in transport, but his brother managed to keep him stabilized. He performed CPR and saved his life. We immediately put him on the operating table. We repaired his valve and put a stint.'
Rebecca nodded as she read over his report. His labs seemed to be stabilized. He was almost a dead man when he came in. He had been so close. He was too selfish. Too reckless and dangerous.
Sharon walked over to him as she checked his vitals,'I'm giving him a couple more days of sedation. I'm giving his body some time to heal.'
She nodded as she stared down at the breathing tube in his throat. She wouldn't be emotional. She would remain neutral. She would be his nurse. He was going to give her hell for this, but she refused to budge. She would take on other patients, but this is what she wanted to do. She liked to take care of people.
She also already loved Sharon. She was a no nonsense lady who's seen some shit. She could respect that.
Sharon looked up at the younger woman and smirked,'He something to you?'
'We used to be traveling partners.' She pursed her lips,'For about a month. Just two people going the same direction.'
Sharon nodded and smiled knowingly, clicking her tongue,'Yet you both ended up in the same place.'
The doctor walked over to doorway. She turned to her and grinned,'Don't think you're spending all day with Patient Miller. I have two other patients down the hall who are in desperate need of attention.' She nodded her head graciously,'Welcome aboard Nurse Barrett.'
Rebecca pulled off her hat and coat, placing it on the chair beside his bed. She pulled her hair back and rolled up her sleeves.
She looked over his ashen face and shook her head, whispering,'This whole damsel in distress act is getting pretty fucking old, Joel. I'm so gonna told you so when you wake up.'
She checked his vitals and dressings before heading back onto the next patient. She kept herself busy for most of the day. There was always something to do. Someone to tend to. A room to clean or a new patient to patch up and send on their way. It almost felt like old times when she used to be a young bright eyed nurse just starting out.
After her shift was over though she walked into Joel's room. She picked up the book of puns Ellie left on the table beside his bed. Tommy had visited with her this evening. He left them alone for a bit, giving her time to read the shitty puns aloud to him. Rebecca had given them their privacy though. Only interrupting them to tell Ellie visiting hours were over.
She slid his chair over to his bedside and cracked opened the book. She started reading them aloud. She knew he could hear her somehow. It stimulated his brain.
Sharon heard the hushed tones coming from his room. She walked by and peered in, smirking when she saw her reading to him.
They both seemed to have gotten a rough go at surviving, but Rebecca was a good nurse from Maria said. The jury was still out on Joel.
She walked down the hallway and shook her head, laughing to herself,'Traveling partners my ass.'
Two days she did that. Every night until she fell asleep in the chair. She got up in the morning, her neck aching from the angle in the chair. She chugged some coffee, taking a moment to appreciate she could do that and started her day.
It was almost nine in the evening, just as her shift ended when he awoke on the second day. She had just walked into his room. She came from showering and changing before heading back.
Her eyes widened when she saw the evening nurse taking the breathing tube out of his mouth. He was making coughing retching sounds as he was trying to sit up in his bed. The nurse was trying to place a hand on his chest to calm him down.
Rebecca heard the machines beeping loudly in protest as he tried to yank the wires out of his arms. He was going to hurt himself even more. She knew he hated hospitals. Bad things always happened in them.
'Mister, Miller. Please.' The nurse pleaded,'You need to rest. I can take the breathing tube out, but you need to relax in order for me to do that.'
Rebecca rolled her eyes. Joel never relaxed unless he was knocked unconscious.
She walked over to his bedside and placed her hands on his face. She held his head steady to look at her,'Joel, get your fucking shit together. You had a heart attack. I told you so by the way. You've been in a coma for four days. Ellie is worried sick about you. Let Evelyn do her job.'
Rebecca could see the dazed look in his eyes. She knew he was pumped with so much morphine he probably he thought he could take on the world. Yet, his tired and weak body prevented him from even lifting himself off the bed.
He's become his worst fear. Someone who needed to rely on others to survive. What a pity.
She gently pushed him back onto the bed. She helped Evelyn slowly remove the breathing tube from his throat. He gagged as they popped it from his mouth. Rebecca placed cup of water against his lips, letting him take a sip. He probably needed it.
His eyes lolled up at her and she almost envied the look of euphoria on his face. He was dazed, in and out of a dream like state. He wasn't struggling to get free though. He seemed resolved to his fate.
He jerked his head away, silently telling her he was finished with the water. She placed it on the table beside him. She sat down on the chair beside his bed, giving him his space. She let Evelyn check his vitals, not wanting to encroach on her logged in shift. Time was money.
Sharon walked into the room, checking on him. Joel wasn't talking. She didn't know he he wanted to or couldn't.
She pursed her lips as she shined her light over his eyes,'Welcome back, Mr. Miller. You gave your family quite a fright.'
Neither Rebecca nor Joel saw the way her eyes averted between them.
She looked over his face as she checked his pulse,'How are you feeling?'
'Like I just had a heart attack.' His words were slurred and sleepy.
Rebecca watched as Evelyn gave him more morphine to sedate him. They just got everyone high around here it seemed. They took care of him though. Even an untrained eye could see that. Sharon was a capable doctor.
Sharon smirked and nodded,'In about six months this will be a thing of the past.' She gently patted his arm,'I leave you in capable hands, Mr. Miller.' She looked over at Rebecca,'I'll let Maria know as soon as I leave here to let the family know.'
Rebecca nodded and smiled, feeling a bittersweet resentment. She wasn't family. Not really anyway. She was Ellie's friends, but she was starting to hand around people her age. She didn't have a need for anyone her age anymore. She was mature beyond her years and experienced way more than more adults, but she was still a teenager deep down.
That was fine. Rebecca needed to make her own life here. She was slowly starting to rebuild it.
Sharon sighed as she gently patted Joel's arm,'I'm glad to see you awake. You gave everyone quite a scare.' She turned to Rebecca and smiled softly,'Have a good night, Nurse Barrett.'
She would never get tired of hearing her say that. It made her feel proud of herself. She wasn't living under the shadow of any man. Her work meant something.
'Thank you. ' she nodded.
Sharon exited the room, closing the door behind her. She smiled to herself. She finally had a happy story to tell her husband when she got home. He was becoming weary of the gloomy ones.
Rebecca rested her hands against the bars of his bed, looking over his body. His breathing was regulated again. The drugs were calming him down.
His eyes lolled over at her,'Nurse Barrett, huh?'
'Yeah.' She nodded and smiled proudly,'And I'm your day nurse.'
He stared up at the ceiling and coughed softly, whispering,'I want another nurse.'
She laughed and shook her head,'Sure. I'll just put an ad out on the internet.' She stared at him confusingly,'There's only twelve nurses for a fully functioning town. Three doctors and one surgeon. ONE. I had over a hundred patients yesterday. There isn't anyone else, Joel.'
She took a moment of deliberation. She sighed and got up from her chair, taking a seat at his bedside. She kept space between them, not wanting to spook him,'You need to learn to accept the fact that you're not invincible. You can't always save everyone. You saved Ellie. In my eyes, you did save the world. You did your part. This is your time to relax, to accept the help offered to you. I'm not out to hurt you. I'm not out to get you. I don't want anything from you. I just need you to get your shit together. I'm your day nurse. Do you understand?'
His eyes drifted shut as he smirked and sighed softly, whispering,'Yes, maim.'
Rebecca sighed as he drifted off to sleep. She lifted the blanket over his body. She got up from the bed and walked over to the chair. Just as she did every night for the past two days.
She told herself she was just keeping watch. Evelyn was busy with other patients. She would be thankful for the extra hand. She was being a good nurse.
Maybe she was just trying to be a good friend too.