Banana Girl: a thatcherjoe love story

Chapter 28- Death Talk

Zoe, me and Joe were in a cab on our way back to the hotel, after the Doctors had told us I could go home. Although of course, home was in the UK, and we were in New York. We had to stay until I was well enough to get on the plane, which could've been a while.
"Hey, you guys?" Began Zoe.
"Yeah?"
"I need to tell you something."
"What? What is it?" Said Joe.
"Are you okay? Is it Alfie? Is the baby?" I finished for him.
"No! I'm fine, Alfie's fine, the baby's doing great, it's..." She looked Joe, "it's mum and dad."
"What is it? Are they okay?"
"They're fine."
"Thank god!" He sighed in relief, "what is it then?"
"They're coming here to see Vi and make sure she's okay."
"Your.... Parents. They're coming. Here. Why? I mean... Why? What if they hate me?" I wondered out loud.
"They won't hate you! Why would they?" smiled Joe.
"Yeah! I mean, Vi, you're great!" Agreed Zoe, her usual kind and happy self.
We got out of the cab, payed the driver, and walked up to the hotel, Joe pushing me in the wheelchair. A nice-looking woman who worked at the hotel opened the door for us, and as we walked in, we felt the slightly cooler air blast out from the fans on the ceiling.
Alfie was waiting by reception, leant against the desk with Casper, and Tanya was sat in an armchair texting Jim Chapman. When I came through the door, they ran at me, faces lifted in happiness, "Vi! We've missed you so much! Sorry we couldn't visit- you were only allowed 3 visitors and Zo and Joe and your mum were there all the time, and-" Tanya was so sweet!
"Don't worry! I'm so happy to see you! Hey, you guys?" I turned to Joe in particular, "I'm soo hungry! Let's get something to eat!"
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I couldn't use crutches because my shoulder was still so painful, but I'd started to get used to the wheelchair. Even so, we obviously couldn't take the stairs, so we took the lift everywhere.
We headed for the hotel restaurant, and I was wearing my black dress and black flats that Joe had to go out and buy for me (I couldn't wear heels). He helped me get changed and do my makeup, too, (he did it surprisingly well- I guess that's one of the many advantages of having Zoe as your sister) as I couldn't do much with my shoulder hurting as it did.
When we got down there, and found a table, I hopped my way into a chair and grabbed a menu.
"Vi, I'm so happy to see you up and about again!" Zoe said, Tanya nodding her head in agreement, "After the accident, they weren't sure if you were ever going to walk again."
Joe looked at me and joined in with the speech, "I was so scared. And then, when you didn't remember-"
"But I do now." I interrupted, "and that's what matters."
"Yeah," he smiled, "I know. But still. To start with, we weren't sure you even gonna survive."
"He's right," agreed Zoe, as if me almost dying was the most casual thing to talk about, "he was broken. He didn't shave, sleep, eat, wash, anything! He was like a ghost, and even-"
"Alright, I think she gets it, Zo!" He said, perhaps not wanting me to hear how 'broken' he was.
"No, really! He was utterly empty. He stayed at the hospital, he wouldn't leave you alone even for a pee! Wouldn't pick up his phone, only drank coffee, and if you could get him to eat, then he would only eat bananas and crisps. Terrible, just awful, he was."
"Zoe," he was blushing really badly, "she doesn't need to hear the Death Talk."
I couldn't have felt better at that point, even though my body was stiff and painful, I knew he loved me, and that mattered to me more than anything.
"I think it's sweet." I muttered, and kissed him.
"Excuse me?" Interrupted the waiter, "can I take your drink orders?"
"Yeah, I'll have a water, please, don't fancy anything special yet." I explained.
"I'll steer clear of mojitos, I think," began Tanya, "and go with a lemonade. Cheers."
"Pint of Carlsberg, please."  Joe pulled out his ID, knowing the waiter would ask for it, and smiled.
Casper, Jim and Alfie arrived at the table and ordered the same as Joe, and Zoe got a blackcurrent squash.
Our drinks arrived, then we ordered our meals, and we chatted and laughed and teased for hours- this was what life was meant for. This was it. What I wanted, all I wanted. Ever.

A/N
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R xx