Jade

Chapter 18

He definitely took his time eating.  I started to doze off.  Hopefully they save some pie for me.  “I think she is asleep,” I heard Ripley say.  “Almost,” Aris acknowledged, “just save the pie for breakfast.” “We could have some now,” Ripley offered, “I bought the whole pie.”  Aris chuckled, “You go ahead.  I am pretty full.”  I heard some rustling and crinkling.  A minute or so later, I heard a loud moan.  Is he making fun of me?  No.  I think it is just that good.  Did he close his eyes?  He did and he chewed slowly just like you taught him.  Tomorrow you are going to close your eyes and chew slowly.  You could just wake up and eat a little pie.  I will eat some if you will.  I’m already awake.  I opened my eyes.

“I would like to try your pie Ripley,” I said sleepily, “Just a small piece.”  He brought me a piece on a disposable plate along with a plastic spoon.  Aris got his own piece.  You first.  Close your eyes and chew slowly.  I want to watch your reaction.  He slowly put a bite of pie on his plastic spoon.  He dropped it off, then slowly put it back on.  You don't have to be slow about that part.  He slowly brought the spoon up to his mouth and slowly pulled the empty spoon back out.  I watched as he closed his eyes and chewed slowly, then swallowed.  He opened his eyes.

“Well?” I asked after not getting a reaction out of him.  “Well what?”  “Was it good?  Did you like it?”  “It is good.  I do not know if closing your eyes really makes a difference, though.”  “Take another bite without closing your eyes and see if it's better or worse.”  He did so, “it is better with your eyes closed.”  I took a bite of mine and chewed with my eyes closed.  I know I moaned with pleasure.  “I can't wait to try your apple pie.”  “What do you mean?”  “The apple pie that you are going to make for me, Mr. Chef.”  He smiled, “If you stay in bed and be a good patient, I will bake you an apple pie.”  “Deal,” I agreed.

We finished our pie and Ripley stayed for a little while.  He told us more about Lia and his antics, as children, and Aris talked some about his brothers and himself.  I don't have any siblings so I mostly just listened and laughed.  After some time Ripley stood up and said he needed to bring in a cooler that he had bought, in case of a power outage.  So far, the power was still on, so the refrigerator was still working.  After bringing in the cooler, “Well I think I will take the dogs out, then turn in for the night.”  “I will come out with you,” Aris volunteered.

“Are you going to smoke?” I asked.  “We can smoke in these cabins,” Ripley told us.  He lit me a cigarette, then one for himself and handed the pack to Aris, who did the same.  “I have a friend who is going to come check you out Jade,“ Aris started after taking a draw off of his cigarette, “you are not healing as fast as I would like for you too.  He has other means than what I have.  I am hoping he can help.”  “Okay,” I agreed.  “Who is this friend?” Ripley enquired.  “Maximus,” Aris answered.

“You can not be serious,” Ripley said, clearly agitated.  “You will have to put aside your differences.  We need his help.  Jade needs his help,” Aris responded, “I have repaired her twice and she still is not healing properly.  It is this or take her back to the person who did it to her.  I do not want to put her through that.”  “Can I see?” Ripley asked.  He can see below my breast.  Aris picked me up from the recliner and carried me to the bed and laid me on my back.  He pulled my sweatshirt up to just below my breast.  Ripley hissed through his teeth.  “There is more up higher, but she does not want you to see.  I was going to wait until we got to our destination, but we do not know how long we will be here.”  “I will not cause any trouble,” Ripley promised, “but I want to be present when he comes.”  Aris nodded his agreement.  “When will he be here?” I asked.  “Right now.” I heard an unfamiliar voice.

In the corner, opposite of the recliner, a man materialized out of thin air.  He had long grayish green dread locks, that reached almost to his waist.  His face was beautiful like Aris, but with larger, rounder gray eyes and a wider mouth.  He also was a few, maybe six, inches shorter, but with a stockier build.  He wore a suit similar to what Aris and I wore, our impenetrable and ‘can take a beating suits,’ at the hotel a few hours ago.  Like ours, his matched his hair color.