She offered him some cool water again, and he drank it gratefully. "You'll be able to hold this cup yourself soon. Tomorrow perhaps."
She placed the cup on the nightstand and checked his vitals, scrutinizing the monitoring equipment as she did. Satisfied, she removed a vial from her pocket, carefully read the label, then withdrew its contents into a syringe and injected the liquid into his IV drip.
"Looking good, Mr. Alford. I will see you soon."
Demarco closed his eyes once again and drifted away.
The next time he opened his eyes, Jack was standing to his right, looking down at him... the brightness of the sunlight in the window behind enveloping him in a golden corona. His hair was longer, and his stubble had become a beard. He smiled, eyes moist.
"Jesus?" said Demarco. "Am I dead?"
"Nope," said Jack. "You're still here with me."
"You look like an angel."
"I've heard pick-up lines before, but never that one," Jack said.
Demarco smiled lazily at Jack's rare attempt at humor. "Cute."
"I can live with that. Welcome back, D." He took Demarco's hand.
"Someone shot me," Demarco said as if just remembering.
"Yeah. Let's not talk about that right now. The doctor says we should wait until you can sit up and eat solid food before we... overstimulate."
Demarco raised an eyebrow and gave Jack another drunken grin.
"That's not what I meant..." Jack said, then whispered, "...but we'll get back to that too."
The door opened and in came the familiar nurse. "She knocks me out," said Demarco.
"Sheisa looker," Jack agreed.
"He means this," said the nurse, holding up another glass vial and syringe. "He's a perceptive one, this guy. Visiting time is over, Jack."
"He just got here." Demarco's tone was that of a sad child.
"Nope, D. I've been here. You just woke up."
"No fair."
"I'll be here when you wake up next time. Promise." Jack said. He kissed Demarco's hand before releasing it.
"Believe him," said the nurse. "He only leaves to bathe and change clothes. Half of my staff is in love with him."
"This is Trish, D. She's immune to my charm. The usual tomorrow, Trish? Venti—two creams, one Splenda?"
She dismissed him with a wave... but before he was out the door he turned, making eye contact with Demarco again. "See you soon," he said with a wink, and then he left closing the door behind him.
"Love you," Demarco said, but his voice was soft and only Trish heard him.
"Careful..." she said, giving Demarco a watchful eye. "You're drunk."
"No, I'm not."
The next time he awoke, Jack was again standing at the foot of the bed. This time he was freshly groomed and in his usual suit. A doctor was conversing with him quietly, and Trish was to his left using the remote apparatus to raise the bed so that he could see them better.
"Good morning, Demarco," said the doctor. "You're at Georgetown University Hospital. You've been downgraded from critical care to a private room. I'm Doctor Lexter."
