chapter 02:
rose steps into the cold hospital at exactly 8:25.
she walks through the halls that all look the same.
similar rooms. similar offices. similar chairs, and similar desks.
she walks up to lisa and asks her if jack is awake.
"he's being taken to his therapy session. you can wait for him in the cafeteria" lisa says, kindly.
"b-but I don't know where it is" she mumbles, shyly.
rose is angry at herself for being this shy in here. she hates it.
the moment she enters the hospital. she becomes hesitant to push the door open or get in the way of someone else.
"oh dear, it's just two floors down."
after jack's session. adam thanks the group of nurses, individually and asks them kindly to take him back to his room.
he steps into the cafeteria at 10:21 when he spots rose.
she's sitting on her own. a cup of coffee in front of her, and an uneaten toast.
she's wearing a black skirt, reaching above her ankles and a sacramento-colored shirt.
he steps closer to her and clears his throat. "is this seat taken?"
she looks up to find it's the doctor from yesterday. "no, it's-it's not. you can sit if you wa-nt."
he mumbles a 'thank you' before sitting down in the chair in front of her.
"how are you this morning?" he fixes the collar of his coat, his tone cheerful, a bit.
more cheerful than yesterday.
she wraps her hand around the cup and says, "not too great. I- i'm worried about him." her tone grows sad, again.
sadder than yesterday.
he swallows his coffee. "haven't I told you several times that you don't need to worry? everything at the session went great. not the best, of course, as this needs time, as I told you before, but I'm happy with him."
he notices rose's smile make an appearance. "stop worrying, rose. I'm serious."
"I can't help it." she raises her eyes to meet his, and adam's gaze softens, automatically.
"I've known him for a long time. he's like a father to me." she wipes the moisture under her eyes.
adam is about to reply when he feels a tap on his shoulder. his friend finn has approached them.
"morning." he smiles, big. his eyes meet rose before he furrows his brows. "we haven't met, have we?"
rose shakes her head and finn asks her for her name. "I'm rose" speaks rose quietly.
"I couldn't catch that. what is it? louise?" finn's voice is loud, compared to rose's.
"rose" rose answers him.
"I'm finn, it's nice to meet you."
"she is jack's friend" adam makes his voice known.
finn nods his head in realization, "ah right, you told me."
"yeah." adam pops the lid on his americano. "he's asleep now."
adam steals a glance at rose and finds her scratching her lilac nails.
"I have a patient coming at 10:30" he begins getting up from his chair. the chair making a squeaky noise.
"rose, I'll come to check on jack after I'm done with my patients. will you stay with him?"
