Page 84 of Just Friends

“You’re in the hospital,” Rebecca said, following the nurse’s advice. She stood and crossed to the bedside. “You were shot and have been out for three days. It’s almost eleven at night,” she said hoping to help orientate him. Weasel brought a hand to his throat. “You were on a ventilator. I imagine that’s why your throat’s uncomfortable. Let me get the nurse and see if you can have water.”

Rebecca left before he answered. Sure, she wanted Weasel awake, but now she was terrified of finding out how he felt about her being there.

Rebecca returned with Nurse Thomas who brought a pitcher of water and a cup. His eyes stayed locked on Rebecca while he replied to the nurse’s questions. The nurse took his vitals, and after being satisfied with the responses, handed him a drink of water.

“How do you feel?” Nurse Thomas asked.

“Like shit on a stick.”

“Point to your pain level,” Nurse Thomas said, displaying a card with five faces on it. Weasel grumbled but pointed.

“I will add more pain medication in your IV.”

“It’ll put me out,” Weasel said.

“You’ll get a good night’s sleep and be ready to get out of bed in the morning.”

“So soon?” Rebecca asked.

“We’d have already had him up if he was conscious.”

“I want to stay awake,” Weasel said, wrapping his hand around Rebecca’s. She bent and fixed the oxygen cannula around his ear.

“It’s best to stay on top of pain medication,” the nurse pointed out. “We lowered yours to help regain consciousness, but you will be in a lot of pain for a while.”

“I…” Weasel began but gasped. The nurse twisted a syringe into a port on the IV line.

“I’ll be here in the morning,” Rebecca said as his grip relaxed, but she didn’t release.

“I still want to talk,” Weasel slurred.

“Rest now.”

Rebecca texted Cindy the update thathe’d woken up coherent but was now asleep. Weasel unconscious was an emotional rollercoaster; Weasel conscious, well, that too would be an emotional rollercoaster, and she had to prepare for whatever came out. She was hoping for the best but expecting to be told to leave. Her defense? Dalton called; he’d said Weasel would want her here.

Rebecca wanted to be there.

Rebecca bought a coffee and a muffin from the cafeteria after sunrise. The rest of the hospital was waking while early mornings in the ICU brought the calm after the storm. People in scrubs walked fast in various directions, each coming or going from a shift. Then she caught a woman watching her, mid-twenties, blonde hair in a choppy bob.

“Hi,” she said. “I’m sorry; I noticed your necklace.” She nodded to the butterfly around Rebecca’s neck, the one from Weasel. Rebecca clutched it. “I recognize it…cause…I made it.”

“Oh, you’re Gwen,” Rebecca said. “Weasel told me. It’s so pretty. Your work is extraordinary.”

Gwen’s hand rested on her heart. “You’re too kind. I’m so glad you like it. He was veryspecific about what he wanted, and the stones had to be green, and now I see why,” Gwen laughed. “They match your eyes.” Rebecca smiled. “So how is Weasel?”

Rebecca’s smile faded. “He’s in ICU.”

“What?”

“He was shot, but he’s expected to recover.”

Gwen’s hand touched Rebecca’s arm. “I didn’t know… Thank god he’ll be all right. I’m on my way to a doctor’s appointment. Do you mind if I stop by later?”

“Not at all,” Rebecca replied as they moved to the cafeteria door. “I need to get back up there too.”

???

Rebecca sat in the chair and picked at the blueberry muffin while watching a morning news show. It was the only way she knew the day of the week. The distinct feeling of being watched overcame her.

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