The morning had been a flurry of activity, but now, at almost lunchtime, Lisa was in a new room.
Things had started out in a pretty standard fashion, as standard as things had been for the last few weeks. Jack and Lisa had both slept for about four or five hours straight, which was a long stretch in the ICU, with Jack waking before Lisa again to shower and dress for the day. He'd stepped back into the room to find the doctors rounding, but without Helene, he wasn't sure what they wanted to do going forward. Lisa had been given more liquids last night, and she'd kept them down, Jack pretty sure that just the change of position and movement yesterday had brought on the projectile vomiting. The medical team had not stayed long, but had nodded to Jack as they left, Jack standing there with pursed lips looking at Lisa.
"Any idea what they were saying?"
"No," she sighed, shaking her head as she rested it on her pillow, "but I know I'm starving. I'm actually hungry, and I hope that means they are going to try and feed me today."
"Me too," Jack nodded. "It's early, even for Helene, but when she comes in, I'll see if I can have her find out what the plan is."
"Helene," Lisa eyed Jack and nodded at him, "how did you meet her? I'm sorry. You might have told me, but I'm trying to come out of this fog I've been in, and it's hard to remember details like that."
He frowned, "I'm not sure I exactly told you because, yes, it's been crazy as you've been waking up. She works in the ER, so she's up here really as a kind gesture. Her father is the pastor I met, Tom-"
"The one you spoke to in the hallway yesterday," Lisa eyed him and added, "about me?"
"About you, yes," Jack said with a soft smile at the memory of pouring out his soul to Tom about just how much he loved Lisa. "Listen-"
He was interrupted by the nurses coming in with other staff, some of whom he'd not seen before. Jack stepped back and eyed Lisa, raising an eyebrow as they got to work. They spoke in rapid French to both Jack and Lisa, but both just grimaced slightly and shook their heads. The nurses appeared to have a task, so Jack just stood there waiting.
"Do you want me to leave?" Jack asked her as if they were going to get her up moving around.
"No, I'd ahh, rather you stay so I might get some idea of what is going on, I mean, if you can ask anyone."
The nurses worked quickly, and before either Jack or Lisa knew what was going on, the feeding tube was out. Lisa's eyes widened at Jack, and he nodded a gratitude of thanks to the staff as they left the room, chuckling slightly.
"I guess they're okay with you now eating," he told her, stepping over toward her bed. Jack reached down and patted her hand in his, then clasping his hand over hers, as he stood there over her and smiled. "How about a cup of coffee?"
She let out a long sigh as she leaned her head back, "I'd love it," and turned her head toward him. Before more could be said, two different nurses came in and started talking to them in French. They didn't recognize them from the regular nurses Lisa had had each day, and both she and Jack started to shake their head, trying to understand. Finally, one of them opened her bathroom door and gestured toward the shower area and turned it on, waving her hand.
"Oh, a shower," Lisa sighed in relief, nodding at them with a small smile. She was really tired, but she glanced at Jack and spoke to him. "I've been waiting for this for days."
"I know," he nodded. "Listen, I will let them work with you and help you get cleaned up. I'm sure that will be a wonderful feeling. I'm going to go out and see if I can find Tom. I haven't stepped out of the hospital in days, and maybe I'll try to get something to eat-"
"Please do that," she pursed her lips. "I'm fine. I've told you that you can even head home."
"I'll be heading out for something to eat and somewhere to get this laundry done," he nodded toward his bags. "Home is with you, and for now, it's here at the hospital. I'll be back with coffee in an hour or so. I suspect it could take them some time. That okay with you?"
She nodded, and Jack reached over and squeezed her hand. "Whatever toiletry products they have are my new favorite things. I don't even care I don't have my favorite shampoo," she said tearfully. "I'm so glad to be getting up."
"Oh," Jack snapped his fingers and stepped toward the bag while the nurses worked to get a bath chair ready and everything else they needed to do to help Lisa to the shower. "I brought your toiletries."
"You what?" Lisa sat up, at least moved her head up and widened her eyes at Jack. "My toiletries? I don't have anything with me. Oh gosh, I haven't even thought about my personal things. Where's my purse? My phone? Laptop-"
"Lise," Jack ruffled through his bag, glancing toward her and then stepping back to the bed with her toiletry bag. Lisa's eyes widened at the sight of it, and she gave him a soft smile.
"My toiletries-"
He nodded, "As I said, I brought them, packed them with my things, along with that blanket, some of your clothes. Most of the bag was packed with things for you. You know me. I don't need much. Oh, I have a robe when you need that-"
She nodded, "I really appreciate it," and she again had tears welling in her eyes. "Gosh, it's so good to see something familiar."
"Well, you had that suitcase in your closet at the house," he frowned and gestured. "You know, you kind of left it there."
"Ah yes," she said, now, her voice a bit shaky as she nodded. "I remember, although not a memory I want to have."
"I know," Jack frowned as he made eye contact. The two locked eyes briefly, and then he gestured to the bag, "I brought that bag, not that you've probably noticed it, but you know the one I brought to France last time was falling apart. Tim suggested I bring this one, easier to navigate through the airport and all. He was right, not that I'd tell Tim that," Jack rolled his eyes. "You had some things in it and paired with what you had in the dresser drawers, I brought you some of the things you would need." He turned toward the nurse there and handed over Lisa's bag. The nurse glanced at Lisa, and she gave her a reassuring nod. Jack looked back at Lisa, raising his eyebrow.
"You sure you'll manage with them not speaking English?"
"I'll get by. It's a shower. They'll show me how they want this wrapped," she gestured to her arm in a wrapped air cast. "Take your time, Jack. You don't have to be on constant duty here."
"Course I do," he squeezed her arm before he stepped away. "I wouldn't be anywhere else. I'll be back with nourishment and clean clothing. This is good new, Lise. I suspect you're transferring to the step down today too. Don't go without me," and with that, he winked at her before he stepped away with a small smile.
The fresh air was a welcome change, and honestly, Jack didn't realize how much he was missing it. Had he not been here for unfortunate circumstances, this mountain town might actually be charming-it was, but he was tired of being here. It was the hospital, really, just being here in this place, giving it a bad reputation, but as he walked down the narrow sidewalk heading back to the hospital now, he finally took time to look around and saw a rather charming place. He never thought he would think that about anywhere in France, but it was charming, and on this early morning, when things were finally starting to look up, Jack had finally felt hungry. Yes, he had eaten a decent meal while he was away from the hospital. A meal, a bit of exercise, a chat with a new friend, and then finally back to the hospital to hopefully a new room for Lisa-things were finally looking up.
He was almost back to the hospital and as he walked, he reflected on the morning-Jack had spoken to Tom, finding him reading in the church garden. Tom had been a huge help throughout this, but this morning had gone above and beyond again. He'd walked Jack down to the laundry area at the church and helped him figure out how to use a French washing machine. Jack was thankful there was even a place to launder his clothing there at the church, everything about Tom such a blessing. Then, the two men had walked across the street to a small café, and with Tom ordering in French, the two men had enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Jack could not remember the last time he'd had a full meal, sitting down nonetheless, and it felt good to get a decent meal in him. It was about as close to a regular breakfast at home as he remembered-eggs, a croissant with jam, some sort of French potato, ham-he'd polished off the entire plate. Tom had even inquired if the café had soups ready for the day, and now, as Jack walked up to the door of the hospital, he juggled the soup and the tea he'd brought for Lisa, hopeful she, too, had had a good morning and was starting to feel more like herself.
What he had found, though, was in the short time he was gone, Lisa had already moved rooms. He felt terrible he'd been out and had missed it, but the nurses at the desk were kind and one walked him to Lisa's room, his face well known on the ICU unit, and no translation needed to get to Lisa.
"Lise," he sighed, opening the door to her new room, not that far from the ICU unit, but without a nurse showing him, he never would have found it. Lisa had been resting, her head turned toward the window and new view she had here in this room. Jack closed the door and moved quickly to the small tray table to put the food down. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when they moved your room." He frowned at her, and she shifted a little, turning her head and trying to turn her body to the side ever so slightly. Jack saw her grimace as she shifted, and he stepped to the bed to help her. "Here, let me help."
"I'm fine," she put her hand up and waved it.
"No, you're not," he said, still frowning as he moved her pillow that had slipped and helped her get comfortable. Once he'd done that, she relaxed her head back against her pillow and looked even somewhat content, looking up at him there. Jack closed his eyes and let out a long breath, opening them to give her a soft smile. "Wow," he nodded, tears even in his eyes, "it's really good to see you."
She narrowed her gaze, "You were here a couple hours ago."
"You know what I mean," he said, glancing to the bed and sitting down there on the side of it since there was room. "Look at you," he waved. "You are looking so much better. I can imagine that shower did you wonders, and your hair," he leaned toward her. She waved her hand.
"It's still wet."
Jack raised an eyebrow at her as he ran his hand over her damp hair, "I've seen your hair wet plenty of times. You look so much better. I know you are going to get out of here soon. No, your hair-no blood in it," he eyed it. "Lise, your hair looks great-"
Lisa rolled her eyes and sighed, "Now, I know you're lying, going blind too. I look anything but great. I finally got a look at myself in the mirror, and it almost scared me. I look just awful. I don't even want to know what I looked like after my accident."
Jack nodded, dropping his head and clasping her hand in his, "You looked really awful. I'm not going to lie, brought me to tears, to be honest," and at that, he glanced up at her. "I'm so glad you're getting better, Lise," he said, choking back tears. He pulled her hand up and kissed it, giving her a nod. "I can't tell you what an improvement you've made. Don't you forget that, what a fighter you are, and I think you're beautiful, especially now."
Lisa wiped at her eye and looked away, toward the window. She let out a ragged breath ,and Jack sat there, just letting her collect herself while he held her hand. Finally, he cleared his throat, "So, tell me about it, your shower and all. Did it go okay?"
"Umm," she turned back to him, wiping her eye again, "it was a humbling experience. I'm not sure what was more humbling, the fact that I couldn't even stand or move around without assistance-a lot of assistance, or that at 49, two women basically had to give me a bath. It's not exactly what I envisioned for this age."
"I know," he patted her hand, and when she glanced his way, he gave her a sad smile and nod. "I mean, I would have gladly stepped up and done all of that, you know," he winked, "had the language barrier not been an option."
"Stop," she said, smacking at his hand there on hers. "I don't want you flirting with me now."
"I would," he shrugged. "Will gladly help anytime, but, in all seriousness," and Lisa glanced toward him again as he nodded. "I do understand, and I'm sorry. You are getting stronger, even if it doesn't seem like it. You were able to get out of bed and get a shower, Lise. That's real progress."
"With two women helping me," she huffed, shaking her head. "And, what is it 9 AM, and I'm exhausted?"
"Considering you were in a medically induced coma for a couple weeks, you're doing great," he said, squeezing her hand and kissing it again. "I'm so proud of your progress. Say, did you find out about eating?"
"Ahh, yes, just a little. The one nurse over here speaks very broken English but said I had food coming. I suspect that's still some liquids, but whatever it is, I'll take it."
"Good thing I found something for you to eat-some soup and a cup of tea." At that, Lisa's eyes widened, and she hummed.
"Tea, wow, that sounds wonderful. I haven't had tea in a really long time."
"I thought the same, and I had a cup already myself. You'll like it since I do know your taste palate." Jack walked to the tray table and prepared things for Lisa, rolling it toward her. He eyed her before sitting back down. "Just want to know if it's safe to sit here? Might be in the projectile range."
Lisa grimaced, "I am sorry about that."
"And, as I said, deserved that and more," he shrugged. "Honestly, I just hope you can keep down this. Tom took me to a café, and we had a good breakfast. When you are cleared for soft foods, I'll bring you some eggs or something. That was the first decent meal I've had in some time." Jack talked while Lisa started to sip at her food, Jack gesturing to help, but Lisa, independent as she was, brushed off the help. She worked on the soup as he kept talking.
"Look, Jack, I know I've said it before, but as you pointed out, I'm on the mend. I know you need to get back home to the ranch."
"And," he squeezed her knee that he felt under the blankets, "I've told you I'm where I need and want to be. End of it, Lise. I'm not leaving. I know you can't trust my intentions right now, but I plan to earn back that trust."
That statement seemed to bring about an almost awkwardness in the room, but Lisa continued to focus on her soup and tea, while Jack remained quiet, finally, standing up to walk over to the window.
"So, what's the view now?" Jack knew Lisa couldn't see the outside well from where the bed was, but he spoke almost to himself to break the silence. He pointed from the window, "This view, Lise, I can see Tom's church."
"How did you meet him?" Lisa asked as she was now finishing her soup.
"Oh," he pursed his lips and nodded, "shortly after I got here, I needed some air. I was overwhelmed with the severity of your injuries. Don't think I was running away from them, not at all, but I just needed to catch my own breath. I stepped outside and walked, finding the church. You were out for tests, which is the only reason I felt okay leaving the hospital at all." Jack paused and then chuckled, "You know, I had your purse with me-"
"My purse? It's here? I didn't know what had happened to it."
"I'm sorry," Jack sighed, and he walked quickly to his bag, which he saw had been zipped and wheeled into the room. "Lise, it's in the bag. I have your purse." As he dug it out, he looked up to her, "I don't have your phone. It was lost in the accident, but," he stood, carrying her bag to her, "Tom got notice a package had arrived for him, well," Jack tousled his head from side to side, "for me. The girls," he paused as he continued to explain, "they've been asking what they can do, not that they aren't doing a lot taking care of things at home. The girls wanted to do something, anything to help, so when they heard you didn't have your phone, they bought you a new one and shipped it to Tom. It's been about 10 days ago now, gosh," he frowned. "Tom was going to pick it up today, my package, and he said he'd stop by. He's anxious to meet you."
"Wow, so much there to unpack. That was very nice of the girls," she smiled softly. "I miss them."
"Oh," he nodded, "they miss you. I miss you." Jack met her gaze, and finally, Lisa broke that gaze, looking toward her bag there on the bed.
"Can I see my purse?" Jack sprung into action and passed it to her. Lisa dug through it, nodding.
"Well, looks pretty intact. Wallet-"
"Right, I needed some cash, and I saw you had some Euros. In fact," Jack started to chuckle. "You asked about Tom-that's how I met him. A lady at the church saw me sitting on a bench holding your purse, pulling cash out, and I'm sure she thought I had stolen it. Next thing I knew, Tom came out, and well, everything came pouring out. He quickly realized I wasn't a thief."
Lisa's eyes widened, "He thought you stole it?"
"It looked like I did," Jack shrugged. "And," he winked at Lisa, "technically, I guess I did, steal your Euros, I mean."
Lisa rolled her eyes, "Hardly. I don't know how I will repay you for taking care of me."
"Lise," Jack sighed, frowning at her, "don't you get it? There's no repaying. I'm here because I love you, and this is where I want to be. I want to help you with whatever you need."
"Ahh, right," she said quietly as she nodded, frowning as she did. "I remember something very similar in Alberta, but my intentions were not seen as honorable, and I was dismissed."
"I know I handled that as badly as I could have," Jack told her. "My intention was to spare you from taking care of me."
"I heard you tell Tom that," she nodded, raising an eyebrow at Jack. "You didn't think that was something to discuss with me?"
"I did everything wrong I could, and I'm sorry. I really messed up. Total idiot here, as I've said," Jack hooked his thumb at himself. "I can only promise to do better and to communicate more going forward. I will. I thought letting you go was for the best, for your best. Truth is," he grumbled, eyeing her, a hopeful look, "I've been really miserable without out, and I think you have been too."
Lisa nodded, looking down at her arm in a splint as she spoke, "I've always loved my time in France. You know that, and you know it's my plan to retire here. Coming back here after," she paused and frowned, still not looking at Jack. She nodded, almost giving herself permission to continue as she repeated things, "Coming back here was really awful. I can't remember a longer flight, and this last month, or," she paused, "I mean, the month before I was in the hospital, was one of the longest and loneliest I've ever had. So," she pursed her lips, "there's that."
Jack sighed, nodding, "I'm sorry. That's on me. I've told you Arizona was miserable too, and well, Lise," he shook his head, "I'm trying to fix us because a broken us isn't good for either of us."
Silence descended on them, and finally, Lisa cleared her throat and spoke first, "Ahh, would you mind helping me, I mean," she rolled her eyes, "with one more thing?"
"I'll help you with anything. Soup and tea okay?"
"So far, so good, no upset stomach. I was going to ask if you would mind brushing my hair? I'm just really tired, and with one hand-"
"Of course," Jack stood, moving around to the other side of the bed. Lisa handed him the brush she had in her bag.
"I'm just glad I had a brush in here. I'd taken it with me that morning, knowing I was going to be out a long time that day. Dan and I were selling a horse we owned jointly, and he always likes driving with the windows down. Oh, the accident-"
"We don't have to talk about the accident right now, Lise. In fact," he said quietly, giving her a small smile, "I'm okay not discussing it or Dan, unless you insist."
"No," she returned the soft smile, handing him the brush. "I don't need to ruin the talking we are doing." Jack slowly worked the brush through her hair. They were both quiet as he did, Jack really focusing on not hurting her by pulling at knots. "I, ahh, can't believe how terrible my hair looks."
"What do you mean?" Jack questioned, giving her a look. "It's just damp, Lise, not ruined. I told you that you got the blood out."
"No, the roots," she frowned. "I look awful, aside from my bruises. All that gray is coming through with my hair. My nails are a mess. Sorry," she sighed. "I sound ungrateful considering all that I've been through-"
"You're allowed to be frustrated, Lise, but let me say it again that you look wonderful to me. I get it about your hair and nails. You always look so beautiful, but considering you were touch and go there, I'll gladly love your gray hair. Besides," he reached down to squeeze her shoulder, "you're still younger than me."
"Yeah, well, I have a confession-" Lisa turned just slightly so that it didn't interrupt Jack brushing her hair. He met her gaze and raised his eyebrows too.
"You've got a young Frenchman stashed at your house?"
"What? NO!" Lisa raised her voice, the fire definitely returning to her spirit and personality. Jack just chuckled, shaking his head.
"Sorry, Lise. I didn't think you did, and I'm laughing because it's so good to hear the fire returning to your voice. What did you want to tell me?"
Lisa huffed as she dug through her bag there still on the bed and pulled out a small case, "Here are my reading glasses. You didn't see these in here?"
Jack made a face, "To be honest, I know not to dig through a woman's bag, even if it's the person you love the most," he said, smiling softly. Jack continued, "You got reading glasses? Since when? I mean, you've needed them for the last few years, but you've been in denial and just always used mine-" As he said that, Jack paused brushing her hair and nodded there, quietly, finally, acknowledging, "Right, you've always used mine."
"I have," she cleared her throat and nodded. "Even had a pair in my bag when I came back to France, and," she paused, wiping at her tears, "I even broke down crying when those reading glasses broke. I really did. It was like the final, last part of us had completely broken. I had to go out and buy my own," she waved her hand at the glasses. "And," she took a deep breath, fighting back tears, "I hate them."
"My, my how the tides of changed," he started speaking quietly, but with a sarcastic tone to his voice, knowing this was a heavier conversation for her. "I believe a younger blonde refused to buy her own glasses, saying they were for old people, and she was not old, not that I disagreed with that, but you can't make your eyes see what they can't see." Jack finished brushing out her hair, nodding as she had been explaining things. He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out his pair, putting them into her hand and closing her hand around them, " Well, it's a good thing I have more than one pair. A wonderful woman stashed them all over the place, and those are yours to keep again. I guess it's true when people say that love is blinding."
Lisa burst into tears with Jack saying that, and Jack just squeezed her wrist there above where she was clutching his glasses. More and more tears continued to flow, the events of the last few months continuing to haunt them both. Jack remained quiet, but he leaned in and put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. He let her cry and then leaned in and kissed the side of her head.
"I promise I'm done hurting you, Lise. I hate that after seven years, I've only left you with tears and sorrow."