Cookies

Eli gives a start and looks up groggily at Ryan. "Hmm? Oh. Yeah. Bed would be good." Yawning, he pries himself from his chair and stretches. Scratching his head, he glances around, his eye still drooping. "Where'd Romeo go? He take off already?"


Reese's jaw drops in mock surprise at Angelica's teasing move. Lifting one eyebrow higher than the other, he returns the favor to her, giving her a light splash with his foot. The water was surprisingly warm and way too inviting. Grinning, Reese's eyes dance with humor... and a little bit of challenge too.


Zach watches Beth leaves and returns a little wave to her. Staying for a while longer and two more coffees, he finally goes home so he can get ready for work.

Arriving back at his apartment, Zack is met with a bundle of flying black fur. Laughing, he scoops up the dog in his arms, receiving a batch of very wet, slobbery kisses. "Heyo, Button, what's the matter, huh? You miss me?"

She answers with a playful little bark and he laughs before setting her down. "Yeah, I know, Daddy's not usually out all night. I'm sorry. Looks like you behaved yourself though." He grabs her leash and within moments is outside with her. The sky was gray as the early dawn broke and he takes in a deep breath of air. It wasn't country air, but it wasn't the worst city air either.

Walking around the grass with Button, he sighs with content. "I made a new friend tonight. At least I think so."

Button paid little attention.

"I'm going to see her again. Don't ask me what possessed me to go see her in the first place, because I don't know."

Finished sniffing around, Button looks up at him, cocking her head.

He laughs. "Yes, my new friend is a girl. Jealous?"


...Lunch at Beth's. Justin stood on the doorstep, never intruding without being asked in. He was glad to get away again for a little while today. He needed to run up to Brookshire, then the rest of his day was probably going to be spent returning calls to people who needed help with their computers. His mother had a ride to the hospital today, so he didn't have to worry about that. Yesterday hadn't been so bad, but he still hadn't gone in to see Jared.

Lifting his hand, he knocks on Beth's door. In the other hand was a small container of cookies from his mother.


The days were all a bit of a blur. It was so strange being stuck in a hospital bed and feeling restless, yet not having anything to do or anywhere to go anyway. Visits from Jared's mom were the highlights. She seemed like such a sweet woman and though it obviously bothered her that he couldn't remember her, she still smiled and still brought him homemade pudding or chicken broth the nurses let him eat. He had to admit, it was a whole lot better than the hospital food he was eating through a straw.

Conversations with Lydia never lasted long enough. Jared had figured out that she didn't drive, so when a visit was only for ten minutes, he assumed she had to catch rides. She didn't talk too much about her home life though... but Jared didn't even know what kinds of questions to ask, so he didn't. She mentioned church a lot... and cooking... and a few friends. That was about it, other than telling him a few stories from when he was a kid. Nothing rang a bell though, but it was fun to listen. There were times that she seemed to stop short or bite her tongue from saying more, but he didn't pry. He was sure that this whole thing was hard for her, too. Apparently, he'd been living with her - at least he didn't have a place of his own someplace that was going to pot since he couldn't be there to care for it. And at least he wasn't married or anything - that would be too much like a bad movie.

As far as his physical condition went, it was going to take much longer to get out of here than he liked. But on days when the pain was almost unbearable, he was reminded why he was here. Then, there was always the question as to whether or not he'd even be able to walk again. The doctor spoke of therapy... but only if there was some sign, such as him being able to move his toes, that would prove there were nerves healing. But so far, there was nothing. Just long days of waiting and sleeping.