The Chair

Chapter 5

My eyes snapped open, my alarm clock screeching.  Morning light was streaming in through the blinds, making jagged patterns across my face.  I silenced it and closed my eyes with a groan.  I hadn't slept so well due to some really strange dreams.  Not nightmares, just strange.  They mostly had to do with Angelique talking.  I don't remember about what, just her talking.

My eyes snapped open again and I sat up.  I planned to go outside for a walk today.  I swiftly moved my legs to the side of the bed.  I noticed that I’m moving a little sluggish today.  That's okay.  It's probably just because I’m tired.  I quickly stood up preparing for a big stretch and dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes.  I was stunned, then panic set in.  Not only did I fall, but I didn't feel pain where I landed.

I felt around with my hands.  “Oh no!” I didn't feel anything, not even my own touch.  I didn't think anything is broken though.  I sat still for a minute, just thinking.  Then my eyes fell upon the wheelchair, sitting next to me, with a mix of relief and dread.  I felt a disappointed tear spill from my eye and slowly make it’s way down my cheek.

I wiped the tear with the back of my hand.  No time for that now.  I'd been here before and I knew that it was coming again.  I just couldn't shake that feeling of disappointment.  His note said at most two days.  I had so hoped for more time.  “Be thankful for what you got,” I said out loud to myself and scooted closer to the wheelchair.  After making sure that the wheels were locked, I began the arduous task of getting into the chair.  It's nearly impossible , but not for me, the overachiever.  I choked back a sob.  Once back in the chair, I stared at my bed longingly.  I’m going to get in and never get up.

I rested for a while, even dozing for a few minutes.  “I giveth and I taketh away,” I heard a woman's voice, Angelique, then a cackle.  I jerked awake.  Then felt a strange feeling of detachment.  I looked at the clock.  My eyes narrowed.  There's no way I had dozed for three hours.

I looked at the bed longingly, not really feeling up to it.  I had to force myself to move to the bed.  With some effort, I finally made it and collapsed back on my pillows.  I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.

“Jess,” someone shaking my arm.  I slowly opened my eyes groggily.  It was Jen.  Great.  I really don't feel like this.  I turned my head away and closed my eyes.  “Jess, I’m really worried about you,” she was shaking my arm again, “You haven't been answering your phone.”  I reached for my phone on the night stand.  “Sorry.  I forgot to turn the ringer on,” I told her.  There were a bunch of missed calls and messages from her and Dave.  To my disappointment, there were none from Evan.

“Have you been in bed all day?  Let me help you up and I’ll fix you something to eat,” she offered.  “I’m not really hungry,” I shook my head no.  “Jess, did something happen?  This isn't like you,” she asked.  “No. I’m just having a couple of rough days,” I answered.  “Want to talk about it?” she asked sympathetically.   “No,” I answered.  I thought for a minute.  He may not have called me, but I could call him.  That's what I’ll do.

“I have something for you,” I perked up.  “Oh, really?” she asked.  “Hand me that sack over there,” I indicated a plastic sack sitting on my dresser.  She got up and brought it to me.  I worked my way up into a sitting position.  I pulled out an autographed Blu-ray and handed it to her.  I smiled as her face lit up.  “Jess, you're the best!” she hugged it to her chest.  Then I pulled out an autographed book, Angelique's memoir, and handed it to her.  Her smile got even bigger, “I didn't even know that she had a book.”  She opened it and read the autograph, “this is for you, Jess.”  Oops.  I reached in the bag and pulled out the other book.  They looked different.  They had different covers.  That's odd.

Jen was so thrilled that I felt better.  I got out of bed and let her make me something to eat.  “You should call Dave.  He's worried about you too,” she said.  I smiled.  I don't know if I’m up for that.  “Can't you just tell him I’m okay?” I whispered.  “Jess, he's not going to yell at you,” she answered.  “I know.  I just haven't been feeling my best and he has a tendency to bring me down more,” I explained.  She looked at me, considering, “Okay.  This time.  But you will have to talk to him at some point.”  “I know,” I agreed, “I’m just not up to it now.”

She hugged me and left not long after, making me promise to call if I need anything.

I hurriedly wheeled myself back to my bedroom and grabbed Evan's note off of the bedside table.  I unfolded it and stared at his number.  He had said to think about it for a couple of days.  It's only been one.  But I don't need more time to think.  I transferred myself into the bed.  Just in case he can do something over the phone.  I chuckled to myself.  This isn't the psychic network.  I just know that he wouldn't want to keep me waiting.  I had already seen amazing things.  Maybe he could do something long distance.  He wouldn't want to keep me waiting.  Why would he?

I grabbed the note, then almost dropped my phone, grabbing for it.  Phew!  I caught it.  I quickly punched in his number, took a deep breath and dialed.

On the second ring I heard his wonderful voice, “Evan speaking.”  “Evan, this is Jessica.  We met the other night,” I started.  “Hi Jess!  How's it going?  Are you enjoying yourself?” he interrupted.  “That's the thing,” I answered, relieved that he hadn't forgotten me, “yesterday was great, but today I fell.  I have no feeling left.”  “I’m sorry to hear that.  Are you okay?” he asked, concern filled his voice.  “Physically I’m fine,” I answered, “but mentally I’m suffering.  Is there anything that you can do?”  “Can you look at your legs and tell me if you see the scars yet?” he asked.  I hurriedly uncovered my legs and was relieved to see that the scars were still gone.  Surely it wasn't too late.  “No,” I answered full of hope, “the scars are still gone.”

“Sorry Jess, I can’t see you until the scars come back,” he said, “the process has to completely wear off before I can do anything more.”  My hope plummeted.  “Have you given any thought to joining our little club?” he asked, “then we could see about making it permanent.”  “You can do that?” I asked, feeling a glimmer of hope again.  “Yes, we can,” he answered, “How about I send a car for you tomorrow morning?  I can show you around.  I wouldn't want you to make an ill-informed decision.”  “That would be great!” my excitement was building again.  “Okay.  Be ready around ten,” he told me.  “Okay,” I agreed, “Thank you!”  “You're very welcome!  See you tomorrow,” he disconnected the call.

So, I just have to make it through today.  Which it's late afternoon.  Feeling a little better, I decided to make dinner.  I looked down at myself, feeling stupid.  What did I think that he was going to do anyway.  He healed me through touch.  How could he have done anything over the phone?  Why would he?

I got back in my wheelchair, internally kicking myself, but feeling better anyway, excited about tomorrow.  It looked like some kind of sex club.  I’m up for as much sex as possible, as long as I can feel it.  I have some lost time to make up for.

I got some beef stew meat out of the refrigerator and put it in some water to boil.  I got a seasoning packet from the pantry and some frozen mixed vegetables from the freezer.  I put it all in the pan together and put the lid on it to cook.

My phone rang.  What if it's Evan!  I rushed over to the table and answered without looking.

“Jess?”  I instantly deflated, “Hello Dave.”

“I was just calling to check on you,” he said.  “I’m okay, Dave,” I said, “Jen came over and I feel better now.  Did she not tell you?”  “She did.  I just wanted to see for myself.  I could come cook you dinner, if you'd like,” he answered.  “Already done.  Sorry, I didn't make enough for the both of us.  Could we do it another night?” I asked.  “Sure,” he perked up, “How about Friday?”  “Sounds good,” I answered, “see you then.”  “Okay.  Bye then.”  “Bye,” I hung up so that he couldn't draw it out.  I’ll just make sure to look before I answer from now on.

I ate dinner then decided to take a shower and turn in early.

I went in the bathroom and wriggled out of my clothes glancing longingly at the bathtub every little bit.  As soon as they fix me, I’m taking a bath again.  I got in the shower and cleaned up, sitting on the shower bench.  I did have a bruise on my hip from falling earlier.  It wasn't near as bad as it could've been.  I was lucky nothing was broken.

I finished up, dried off and got out of the shower and into my chair.  I went into the bedroom and put on a nightgown.  I rested for a minute while I brushed my wet hair.  Then I climbed into bed.  I got myself situated, then rested back against my pillows.  I looked over at my charging phone.  No one had called.  I noticed Angelique's memoir sitting next to my phone, on the table.  Curious, I grabbed a hold of it.  I opened it and read the inscription.

"To Jessica, for a fabulous evening and many to come.  Love Always, Angelique."

Jen hadn't questioned me about the fabulous evening.  Maybe she didn't read that far.  Now that I think about it, she didn't even ask me how the night had gone.  Not like Jen at all.  Normally, she would want to know every little detail.  Strange.  I turned the page and started reading.

It turned out that it wasn't a memoir.  It was a novel.  A very interesting novel, but just a novel.  It started with the main character, I’m assuming Angelique, as a child in the time of horses and buggies.  A sickness overtakes the village that she lives in.  Everyone comes down with this illness, including the little girl, and dies except for her.  She is considered a medical mystery for the time.

She is adopted by a man named Nathan Sanders and his wife Molly.  They move far away and tragedy strikes again when Molly contracts some sort of wasting disease.  She refuses to take medicine in the form of a red, metallic tasting liquid that both Nathan and Emma, the little girl, both drink greedily and thrive on.  One day, Molly disappears and then there is a funeral.  Emma is quite young and most of the story seems to be from a child's perspective, so details are sketchy.

Nathan and Emma move again.  This time to a larger city.  Nathan is a doctor and, as such, seems to have no problem obtaining medicine for himself and Emma.  They stay in the city for a good many years, until Emma is a young teenager.  Then, one night, something dreadful happens at Nathan's work and they are forced to leave the city in the middle of the night, only taking what they can carry.  Emma is quite upset because she has to leave her belongings behind, namely mementos of her long gone mother and a few things from her family from before.  Nathan insists that it is important, they have to go for their safety.

They travel a long way and don't stop until they reach a small villa in Mexico.  They change their names and Juan takes up work as a doctor again and Maria enters into school.  She is quite upset at her father because she has trouble with communication and doesn't fit in.  She is homesick and misses her friends.

I fell asleep reading, at some point, even though the story was interesting.  A common problem that I have when reading.  This is why I don't read very much.