To Have and To Hold

Chapter 21

Danny motioned for one of the nurses to come over and take her blood pressure, just as Priscilla stuck her head into the door.

"What happened?"
"What do you think? They brought the flowers in- Mom- could you take the kids out? Hey, guys, Mommy needs some more rest, ok?" Danny handed Ben over to her mother. The glance they exchanged said it all: Here we go...Lisa is back to being stuck on insane. Poor little lunatic!

"But Daddy- they are so pretty! Mommy- those must be from Michael, right? His happy flowers! See Mommy- he wants you to get better, too."

Unless this was his latest assassination attempt. Surely, she would be the first person to die from an ambush delivered by flowers. If only she could share her daughter's enthusiasm. Oh, to be an innocent child again, seeing only the good in everything.

"Riley- please go with your grandmother like Daddy said. I see you guys later, ok? I love you!" Her voice sounded artificial, but she had to give herself credit: it conveyed more life than she currently felt. Hard to feel anything when wrapped in numbing ice once again. Her body knew how to prepare itself for impending shock- it simply chose to go sub-zero.

"You know, what Danny? Why don't you take them? They look tired. I will talk to Lisa and see what she wants me to do with...these." Mother motioned over the blooms before her as if they were all flesh-eating monsters. Well, she was pretty close, actually.

"Hello? Can you all stop talking above my head? I'm right here. But yes, Riley and Ben, why don't you go and get some dinner with Dad- and I see you later. Danny- thank you for bringing them. I would like to see them first thing tomorrow, again, ok? And please," Lisa looked up at the nurse still taking her blood pressure, "Could you please make sure whatever other flowers there are - especially if they are from Mister Jackson, please have them donated to other patients, or to anyone in the community. I think I got quite enough...here...enough to last. And please, if you would like to take some- go ahead."

The kids hugged and kissed her, wished her sweet dreams and happily skipped out of the room with Danny, who had kissed her on the head and told her to stay sane. Easier said than done.

"What about the stuffed animals?" The nurse asked after noting Lisa's vitals on her chart.

What the hell was happening here? Had he gone insane? He went from ignoring her to smothering her in blossoms and plush toy pets?

"Donate them to the local orphanage and the children's' wing here in the hospital. I'm sure they will be thrilled."

"Who will be thrilled? And man! It's so good to see you, Lisa! Man! You got enough flowers here? Thank God I was running late and didn't have time to get any. Let me guess- my brother struck, right?"