The machines beeped behind Mr. Bennet’s hospital bed. The graphs of green, pulsating blue dots, dings, and beeps reminded Jane of her brief stint as a runner on the stock exchange floor when she was first out of college. Lizzie took the colorful lines on the screens as signs of hope. Mrs. Bennet looked up at the same screens utterly confused because she could not read their meaning. Kitty refused to look at the machines and instead kept her eyes on her father. She was internally beating herself up that she didn’t do enough for him, didn’t call, visit, or see him enough. Mary was confident. Her father was getting excellent care. He would bounce back. She was sure of it.
Mr. Bennet’s eyes fluttered open. He looked around the bed at his daughters and wife.
“Have I died?”
Mrs. Bennet gave his arm a gentle jab. “Always with the jokes.”
“I lived, didn’t I? The grimmest joke of all.”
Mary, Jane, Lizzie, and Kitty took turns kissing their father on the cheek.
“You need to be positive, Papa,” Lizzie said.
“Why?”
“Because it makes it easier on me,” Mary joked.
“Well, for you, Mary, I will fill to the brim and spill over with hope.”
“Now you’re talking.” Kitty smiled.
“Kitty, you came so far. Did you walk?”
“I got muddy in the pumpkin patch.”
“You tracked mud all the way from Massachusetts.”
“And I’m glad I did. No one wanted to sit next to me on the Acela.”
“I wish you would have called. There was no need for you to come all this way.”
“I wanted to, Pa.” Kitty squeezed his hand. “Am I still your favorite?”
“Don’t tell the others,” Mr. Bennet teased.
“I never would.”
Lizzie put her arm around Kitty, but it didn’t help, she cried anyway.
“Now, no tears,” her father said.
Mrs. Bennet fished for her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. “It’s a pity to grow old and useless. All these years, all this affection, and for what? To wind up in a hospital being snaked by a copper coil?”
“You always know what to say to make me feel better, my dearest,” Mr. Bennet said wryly.
“I do my best.” Mrs. Bennet blew loudly into her handkerchief, startling everyone. She dabbed her tears.
Mr. Bennet closed his eyes. “Pay no attention to your dear mother, girls. You see, I’m on the comeback. Don’t you worry!” Mr. Bennet opened his eyes and looked at them. “I have big plans. I have much to accomplish in my dotage.”
“Like what?” Jane put her hand on her father’s shoulder.
“Oh, a list of things. Getting from point A to point B, for starters.”
“Good one.” Mary laughed.
“Walking with a cane,” Kitty offered.
“That doesn’t even take practice,” Jane said. “And you look regal using one.”
