Page 142 of Prized Possession

“He’s actually not needing any nausea meds anymore, which is great,” Janereplies, before turning to face me and Chloe again. “Before I take you to see Jacob, do you have any questions?”

I look over at Chloe, who looks just as startled by the question as I am.

“Should we have some?” I ask pensively.

Jane chuckles. “No, not at all. Some people are apprehensive the first time they visit someone here. They have questions about what they should or shouldn’t say, things like that. Miles spent almost an hour with me on his first visit, making sure he wouldn’t say or do the wrong thing to set Jacob back in his progress. I’m assuming he’s filled you in on all that, so you don’t have the same worries.”

I look over at my friend, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink as he purposely tries to avoid meeting my gaze. Chloe shuffles from one foot to the other, looking more nervous as she replies to Jane.

“Is there anything specific we should avoid saying to him?”

Jane shakes her head. “What we usually say is just let Jacob guide the conversation. Don’t ask too many questions, and if he doesn’t choose to answer one you ask him, please respect that. He’s working through a lot of psychological treatments, but he still has a way to go. We’ve talked extensively about what he’d like to say to you both today, so I suspect, if you let him lead the conversation, you will be fine.”

“Thank you,” Chloe says, letting out a breath as she does.

“Miles, can you lead the way, or would you like me to escort you?”

“I’ll take us. Thank you, Jane,” Miles replies, and Jane waves as she walks away.

As we walk down the corridor, Chloe takes hold of my hand. “I’m nervous. What if seeing us does more harm than good?”

“It won’t,” both Miles and I reply at the same time.

Miles stops in front of a door that saysFamily Roomon the tag.

“I know this feels weird, and Jane has already told you how hard I found the first visit, but it’s still the same Jake. Let him lead, and it’ll be fine. If he’s not happy, he’ll ask you to leave.”

I narrow my gaze at my friend. “Has he kicked you out before?”

Miles chuckles, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “A fair few times. So you have nothing to worry about.”

Without saying anything more, Miles opens the door and steps inside. I give Chloe’s hand a squeeze before letting go, ushering her into the room before me.

While the room has a clinical feel to it, with white walls and the sterile smell you associate with hospitals, they’ve added a few personal touches to make it seem homely.

To the left of the room there’s a long wooden table with six chairs around it,a water jug and empty plastic cups in the centre. Along the right wall there’s a bright green sofa, with two matching arm chairs arranged beside it, making it into a U shape, with a low coffee table in the middle.

Other than a couple of landscape paintings on the wall, what looks to be a coffee machine against the wall beside me, and a TV in the corner, the room is almost empty.

Jake is sitting on one of the six chairs around the table, his fingers tapping on the surface until he sees us walk in. At first, he looks a little nervous, but as soon as his gaze lands on Chloe, he brightens up, smiling at her.

I don’t know what I expected, but he looks better than I’ve seen him in a long time. Although he’s a little pale, and appears to have lost some weight, he has regained some of his muscle definition.

His brown hair looks clean and soft again, and there’s no dark circles under his eyes.

I can’t remember the last time I saw him and he didn’t have sunken cheeks and hauntingly blank eyes. Now his face has rounded out, and there’s life in his chocolate eyes again.

I can’t help but smile at how much he looks like the friend I remember.

“Thank you for coming,” Jake says softly as he stands.

Chloe sniffles, and I don’t have to look at her to know she’s crying.

“Can I hug you?” she whimpers.

When Jake holds his arms open, she launches herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around him as he catches her. Chloe sobs loudly as she tells her brother how much she’s missed him, and I see the tears sliding down Jake's face too.

I almost feel like I’m invading a personal moment between them, so when Miles goes over to the coffee machine, I join him. Although I don’t help him or speak, having my back to them, giving them the alone time they clearly need, makes me feel better.

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