Chapter 6: A Slight Change]
You can go eat now, Naomi. I'll watch him for awhile. Alright, Uncle Mac. And you go get some rest and I'll wake you in a little while. I'll be back in a little while, Jess. I promise. Uncle Mac will stay with you until I come back. Try to keep him quiet, Uncle Mac. I will, Naomi. Hello, Patches. How's Jess, Naomi? His fever's down some, Patches. He still has'nt woken up yet. I hope he does soon. He took some broth from me this morning. That's a good sign. Supper is here now, so we'd best eat it before it goes cold.
[Sometime Later]
Well, I'm going to go rest now, Patches. I'm going to spell Uncle Mac in a little while here. I'll see you later, Naomi. Take good care of Jess now. We will, Patches. It's not hard to see how you both care for him. Yes, Patches. I for one love Jess very much. [Some Time Later]
Naomi honey, wake up. What is it, Uncle Mac? Jess is awake, he's asking for you honey. Take me to him then. Naomi? I'm right here, Jess. I'm glad to see you awake. You've had me worried, Jess. How do you feel? It still hurts, Naomi. I know, Jess. But you're getting better. I'm glad you're here, Naomi. I would'nt want to be anywhere else, Jess. Go on, go back to sleep. I'll be right here with you. You can go rest now, Uncle Mac. I'll stay with Jess now. Alright, Naomi. See you in the morning. Naomi? Yes Jess, what is it? Could you get me some water, please? Sure, Jess. There's some over here. I'll get you a glass. I'm going to put my hand under your head so you can drink more easily. Tilt your head up for me now. That's it. There you go. Thanks, Naomi. You're welcome, Jess. Try to get some rest now. I'll be right here. Naomi? Yes, Jess? What you said to me when I was sleepin', I heard every word. I'm glad you did, Jess. And I meant every word I said. I know you did, Naomi. Goodnight, Jess. I love you. I love you too, Naomi. Thanks for stickin with me. I was glad to, Jess. Rest now, sweetheart. I'm right here and I won't be leaving you. I'll never let you go, Jess, kissing his forehead. Goodnight, my darling Jess. And before she knew it morning had come. ''Please God, let him be on the road to recovery''. ''I need to see if his fever's down any''. ''Thank the Lord it is''. ''But he's still a little warm''. Naomi? I'm here, Jess. Go back to sleep now. Sssh. I'm right here. Just try to rest, okay. You're going to be just fine. And then he fell back into unconsciousness again. How is he, Naomi? He's a little better, Uncle Mac. His fever's not quite as hot as it was yesterday. That's good to hear, Naomi. But it still might take awhile for him to shake the fever loose. He did'nt call out once last night, for me or for anyone else either. I guess that's good. I think that's because you're with him, Naomi. I've noticed he's a whole lot calmer when you're with him. He told me he loved me, Uncle Mac. Do you love him, too? Yes, very much. I don't know what I would've done if we'd lost him. There won't ever be another person in this world like Jess. He's special. He definitely is, Naomi. You should go and get some breakfast now, honey. I'll stay here with Jess. Alright, Uncle Mac. I'll be back in a little while, Jess. You just rest now, okay? Love you, Jess. Pull through, Jess. If not for yourself then for her. I know you can hear me, Jess. Come back to us, son. We miss you. Naomi misses you especially. Come back to us. Is your friend any better, Naomi? He's a little better, Mrs. Brown. I've been praying for him, dear. Thank you, Mrs. Brown. You're quite welcome. Enjoy your breakfast, dear. And you as well Mister? Just plain Patches, ma'am. Good to meet you, Mr. Patches. So how is Jess, Naomi? He's a little better, Patches. He was conscious for a little bit last night and this morning. And his fever's down some. But he's still got a ways to go yet. That's good news, Naomi. I'm finished now so I'd better go and get some rest like Uncle Mac told me to do. I don't want to be away from Jess for longer than I have to be. I'll see you later, Naomi. Can you keep some hot broth on the stove for Jess, Mrs. Brown? Of course, dear. I'll start some right away. Thank you, Mrs. Brown. ''Please God, help him get better. I love him so.'' Amen.