I lift my hand to stroke his cheek and he presses his face into it. I should have been angry about the watch, but how could I when it saved my life? I could read too much into it and believe he didn’t buy me it because he loved me. He only bought it just so he could keep tabs on me. He has declared his love through his actions though, and that’s all I need from him. I don’t need the watch to know that he loves me. I just need him. My Jake.
I grab the pen again remembering poor Joe. ‘What happened to Joe?’
He smiles at the paper. “He’s fine, Ana. When Tony arrived at the house he told him there had been an intruder and he wanted to look around outside. Joe said he thought it strange as he had nothing on the radio. Tony told him that you had managed to phone him to let him know. Joe obviously believed him and he followed the asshole round the side of the house. Once there, Tony got him to look up front at something he saw, then thumped the back of his head. Joe was found by the side of the house, unconscious, but fine. It’s funny really; Tony murdered all those women, but couldn’t come to hurt one of his own. I wonder if he drew a line there, or just did it so he could get to you quicker. No one will ever know now. He’s gone for good and I’m glad. I killed him and I’d do it all over again if it meant you were safe.”
I smiled weakly feeling tired already, but a more urgent need was starting to take over. I took the pen and began writing on the paper. ‘I need to pee.’
Jake nods and gets up. “Let me get the nurse as I think you have a catheter fitted. You’ve been here for three days now.”
Three fucking days, jeez. What have I missed since then?
The doctor comes through the door with Betty the nurse. The doctor—in his sixties, very tall with glasses’ hanging down towards his noise—spies me trying to get up.
“Ana, no you can’t do that for now. Listen we need to take the catheter out okay?”
I relax back down on the bed.
“My name is Dr Robinson. It seems you been through the wars the last few days, but your vitals are getting stronger and stronger. It would seem you are made from fighting stock.”
Everyone lets out a low laugh. “Now, Mr. Bennett, if you wouldn’t mind waiting outside a minute so we can give Ana the once over.” Jake looks reluctant, but does as he’s told.
The doctor checks my chest and my eyes. They had noticed my ankle was a bit swollen when I came in, so they x-rayed it and all was fine. It was just a very bad sprain. He checked my bruising and asked me about the cuts, which I told him about. He asked me to wriggle my toes and checked to see if they reacted the way they should. Luckily everything was okay.
It was then he was satisfied that the catheter could be taken out. I could finally get up on my own accord and pee. I wasn’t going to do it through a tube, no way. I wanted to go naturally. Dr Robinson removed the catheter, which was a little uncomfortable but a relief. The nurse then helped me up and moved me to the edge of the bed.
The doctor opened the door for Jake to come in, and you could tell he had been pacing up and down the halls outside. I had to let out a little chuckle although it hurt all over to do so. Jake notices and comes running over to me.
He helps me up and takes me towards the bathroom. I motion to him that I think I can do this by myself and shut the door behind me. I walk over to the toilet, my ankle still sore and my legs wobbly, but I manage it all still the same.
The relief when I go is enormous. It is only when I get to the sink to wash my hands, I freeze when I see the sight in the mirror. I can hardly recognise myself. I have bruises on the side of my head and finger mark bruises on my neck. My eyes are puffy and red, and my hair looks like straw.
I let out a sob and Jake shouts my name through the door. When I fail to answer, he lets himself in and see’s my face through the mirror. He immediately understands what I’m feeling as his face changes from worry to sympathy.
He walks over to me and lifts me into his arms. He holds me as I cry into his shoulder, but the pain in my throat is excruciating. He strokes my hair and rubs the tears from my eyes. I nod so he knows that I’m okay, and I wash my hands before he helps me back to bed.
“I just spoke to the doctor. He said all going well you could be released tomorrow.”
I throw my fist in the air to show my enthusiasm, which makes Jake smile. It is then I wonder where I am exactly. I grab the pen again, ‘What hospital are we in?’
He frowns at the note and answers. “You’re in St Francis in Midlothian. I can’t wait to get you out of here so I can take you home and take care of you.”
Neither can I. I’m not sure why but a flash of memory comes in my mind of that picture on the mantelpiece. It just made me wonder about that night. I pick up the pen and begin writing again. Jake notices and waits patiently for me to finish.