Chapter 5: Stay with Us, Jess]
Sorry to wake you Naomi, but Jess is calling for you. It's alright, Uncle Mac. I'll go and stay with him now. What time is it? It's nine o'clock, Naomi. You go on now, Uncle Mac. I'll take care of him. ''Naomi, Naomi''. I'm right here, Jess. You're going to be alright. I'm not going anywhere. I've got your hand Jess and I wont let go. Please stay with us, Jess. We love you. Stay with me. I love you, Jess. Always have, always will. You're in my heart for always. ''He squeezed my hand''. ''The doctor was right. He can hear me''. Goodnight, my sweet Jess. You'll be alright.
[A While Later]
Naomi? Naomi? I'm here, Jess. Sssh, now. I'm right here with you. Sleep now. I won't be leaving you. I love you. And before Naomi knew it it was morning. Naomi, wake up honey. How is he? His fever's down a little bit, Uncle Mac. And I know he can hear what I say to him. But he has'nt regained consciousness yet. Would you ask Mrs. Brown to bring me up some hot broth? We should try to get him to eat. Sure, Naomi. I'll go do that right now. And I'll see about the doc, too. Please wake up soon, Jess. We miss you. He will, Uncle Mac. I just know he will. Please come back to me, Jess. I miss you. If you can hear me Jess, just squeeze my hand. I know you can hear me. Knew you could do it, Jess. My uncle is bringing some broth up and I want you to try to take some for me, alright? Can you do that for me, Jess? I know you can do it. You need to eat something so you'll get your strength back. Please open up your eyes for me, Jess. I miss seeing them already. They look so nice when you smile. I know you can understand me, Jess. Here's that broth, Naomi. Thanks, Uncle Mac. Now Jess, I want you to take some of this broth for me. There you go, that's it. Try to get it all down, alright? He drank it all, Uncle Mac. That's a good sign, Naomi. Now you go and get you some breakfast. I'll sit with Jess while you're gone. Alright, Uncle Mac. I'll be back in a little while, Jess. I promise. Try and talk to him, Uncle Mac. He can hear you when you talk to hi. How do you know, honey? Before you came up here I told him that if he could hear me to squeeze my hand and he did. Just ask him something like that, alright? I will, Naomi. Now go eat. We'll be fine. I hope you wake up soon, Jess. We're all worried about you and we miss you, too. Especially Naomi. It's not hard for me to see that she has tender feelings for you, Jess. To put it plainly, I know she loves you. Please come back to us, Jess. We need you. Naomi tells me that you can hear what's said to you and I believe her. If you can hear me Jess, grasp my hand, son. You can hear us, Jess. Just come back to us, alright? I'm back now, Uncle Mac. You go on now. You must have things to see to. Alright, I'll be back in a while, Naomi. The doc said he'd be here in a little while, Naomi. Thanks, Uncle Mac. See you later. I'm back now, Jess. I've got your hand and I'm not ever letting go. Please open up your eyes for me, Jess. I know you can. I love you, Jess. Please don't leave me, sweetheart. I need you. I know you can hear me, Jess. You squeezed my hand earlier so I know. Come back to me, Jess. I'll be waiting. Always. May I come in, Miss Naomi? Of course, Doctor. How's our patient doing? His fever's down a little, Doctor. Yes, you're right. His fever is down some. Just try to get it down the rest of the way. Have you been able to get him to eat anything? He took some hot broth from me a little while ago, Doctor. Good, keep giving it to him, Miss Naomi. I will, Doctor. Has he regained consciousness at all? Not yet, Doctor. I hope he does soon. You let me know the minute he does. I certainly will, Doctor. He does'nt wake up but sometimes it's like he's dreaming and he calls for people I know are'nt here anymore. What can I do about that? Just try to comfort him as best you can, Naomi. Talk to him, hold his hand. He should settle down. I've been doing just that, Doctor. We need to change that bandage in a while probably. It's fine for now as long as he does'nt start bleeding. Just try your absolute best to keep him still. I will, Doctor. I'll be back to check on him in a while. Thank you, Doctor. Naomi, Naomi? I'm right here, Jess. I'm not going anywhere. I know you can understand me,Jess. You've got to stay absolutely still or you'll start bleeding again. Please don't fret yourself anymore, Jess. None of those bad things can hurt you now. Not while I'm here. I've got your hand and I won't ever let go, Jess. Just rest now. I won't be leaving you, I promise. I love you, Jess. I know you can hear me. How is he, Naomi? His fever's down some, Uncle Mac. I hope he'll rest easy now so the bleeding does'nt start again. I've noticed how calm he is when you're with him, Naomi. I love him very much, Uncle Mac. I know, Naomi. So do I. There is'nt anyone in the world like Jess. There sure is'nt, honey. I'll be back to spell you before suppertime. See you later, Uncle Mac. Take care of him for me. I will, Uncle Mac. Don't you worry about that. You're going to be just fine, Jess. You just rest now. I'll be here with you.