Only Once

Chapter 11

"Guess who grabbed some Jell-O on their way here?" Isabelle smiled as she entered the room, two lime Jell-Os in hand.
Scott sat up for the bed, he had acquired a belief that the room was his own personal prison. He had been trapped in the room for a majority of the week, only leaving to go to the washroom or for the slim chance someone would take him to the cafeteria. Isabelle had worked her way into his daily life throughout the week. He needed to work brain-training games into his routine for the next while and Isabelle came around to make sure he did them.
Karen came as well, not as often as her job didn't allow it. However, Mr. Luther had been lenient on letting her off early so she could come during visiting hours. Usually she came every other day, and she often called. Scott was still unsure about the girl though, part of him felt the only reason they were still talking was because of the accident. Then again, it was the exact same reason for why him and Isabelle talked at all.
"My favourite," Scott laughed, extending a hand to take the Jell-O. Truth be told, he was starting to get tired of Jell-O. He wasn't getting tired of Isabelle though, and that's why he continued to eat the Jell-O each day she brought it to him. Sometimes she would bring him a new flavour: strawberry, lime, orange or anything else she could get her hands on.
"I know, you're probably sick of Jell-O by now," Isabelle grinned, taking a seat across from him. It seemed she could read his mind, Scott thought.
She opened her Jell-O cup and spooned some into her mouth.
"What exercise today?" Scott asked, taking a bite of his own Jell-O.
"Something simple to practice focus," Isabelle responded, grinning. "I'll be right back."
She got up abruptly, tossing her empty Jell-O cup in the trash, leaving the room before Scott had a chance to respond.
She returned with a hand behind her back. Her smile lit the room as she pulled a moveable table bedside.
"It's kind of lame," Isabelle told him.
"Just put the damn game down," he laughed, reaching out.
"Okay, okay," she suppressed a smile as she pulled the game from behind her back.
"It's checkers!" They both laughed in unison as the game was set down.
"I used to be really good at checkers," Scott said.
"Too bad I am the best at checkers," Isabelle teased, sticking out her tongue. She sat down beside the bed and started to set up the game.
"It's unlikely you're better than me," he smiled.
"We'll see about that," Isabelle returned a smile.

"What's that? My sixth win?" Isabelle said, slyly.
"It's not fair, I'm clearly handicapped." Scott joked, pointing towards the bandage that covered his head. "I had brain surgery, of course you won."
"Excuses."
Scott laughed.
"I think we've played enough for today."
Isabelle began to put away the board game. Scott noticed the sparkle of her engagement ring. Every time he saw the ring, it reminded him that this was not going anywhere. That he would never be able to touch her or kiss her the way he wanted to again. It reminded him that no matter how much he wanted to tell himself she was doing this, coming to his room every day because it was her job. The hospitalization had just created a new fantasy where they could be together. A fantasy that was harder to get out of his head as the days went on.
"Let me just check a few things and then I'll be on my way."
"We do this routine every day, I think I'm fine." His voice was clipped as he eyed the diamond.
"I still have to check," she told him warily.

Isabelle began checking Scott to make sure everything was order. She took his blood pressure and changed his bandages.
She was unsure why he had snapped at her, usually he was pleasant and joked with her. She had come to enjoy her daily visits to see Scott. She had tried convincing herself that it was purely for work, but another part of her enjoyed coming to talk to him. Sometimes, she'd find herself thinking about their night together. However, whenever this happened, Isabelle would scorn herself. She had to remind herself that she was engaged and he was simply her patient.
"All seems well," she hold him, recording the information on his chart. "I just need to check your airway, open wide."
Scott made an exaggerated 'ahh' sound as he opened his mouth. Isabelle flashed her light inside and saw all was well with the nerves inside his mouth.
I know how well those nerves work.
She flashed her light off abruptly, taking a step backwards.
"Everything alright?" Scott asked, slight concern showing on his face.
"Oh. Yes," she took a step back towards him, flustered. "Everything looks good."
"You aren't lying to me, right?" Scott raised an eyebrow.
"No, of course not." She tried her best at a reassuring smile as he cheeks burned. She knew she couldn't tell him the reason she backed away was because she had been thinking about kissing him.
"Nothing's wrong." She grasped his hand and squeezed to reassure him.
Isabelle noticed his gaze travel to her hand, and she felt her cheeks heat. He was eyeing her engagement ring.
"Okay, I believe you." Scott kept his eyes on the ring as he spoke.
"Good." She forced a smile and pulled her ring away, suddenly self-conscious of it. She twisted the ring around a few times to calm her but it did nothing for her anxiety.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she spoke, meeting his exotic coloured eyes.
"Tomorrow," Scott nodded. His dark hair poked out of the bandage, curling from sweat.
Isabelle picked the checkers box up and walked to the doorway.
"Goodnight, Isabelle."
She rested her hand on the doorway and turned back to him. She met his eyes and saw the desire that matched her own.
"Goodnight, Scott."