Just The Way You Like It - Under Construction

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Nurse Tess woke Alice what felt like, to her, minutes after falling asleep for the second time. The old woman began humming softly as she quickly checked Alice over again. “Well Dear, you seem to be getting along just fine this morning.” Alice tried to smile, but the thoughts of her latest dream still weighed heavily on her mind. “I think its time we started getting you back up and moving. Your heart attack was probably caused by your weak heart. Too much stress, and boom!” At this she stretched her arms out over her head, moving them together back down to her sides, trying to depict an explosion. “We'll just have to start getting that heart of yours stronger. I'll talk to Dr. Hansen and see what we can do. Alright Dear?” Alice nodded her head, not quite sure what Tess was asking her to do. But, if it was for Nurse Tess, she was more than willing to give it a try.

“You're quiet this morning. Does your throat hurt much?”

“It's fine, I was just thinking.” Alice said, slowly coming back out of her thoughts.

“Want to talk about it?” Nurse Tess sat back down in the chair next to her.  Alice began telling her about the two dreams she had. Tess sat silently, listening to every word that Alice said. When she had finished Tess only nodded her head. “Well Dear, don't think too much into your dreams. They are not real, and they aren't meant to be thought of that way.” She reached over and patted Alice's hand before pulling herself back up out of the chair, and heading for the door. “It's early, but I think I'll go find us some breakfast. The key to a strong heart is a good solid breakfast. Are you hungry?”

It was then that Alice realized she hadn't eaten a thing since waking up. She wasn't starving, but real food sounded great.  Tess had a good idea what Alice was thinking because she spoke up once again. “One of those tubes your hooked up to has been feeding you. It's mush in my opinion, and it certainly isn't enough to keep you healthy. Pancakes sound good?” Alice couldn't remember what pancakes were, but she nodded her head anyway. Anything would have tasted good at this point. Tess left, leaving Alice once again alone. She was starting to dislike being by herself, which was a little weird. It didn't feel like that long ago when she would lay in her box and pray to be left there in peace.

Nurse Tess came back quickly with a tray piled with round metal containers. The smell hit Alice's nostrils, and her stomach let out a growl. Tess heard it, and let out a little giggle. “Now listen, you have to eat slowly. It's been four years since your stomach really had to work. You might get nauseous if you eat too fast.” Nurse Tess put the tray on the table in the corner, and wheeled it over, placing it right in front of Alice. She lifted off the first lid, and Alice thought her eyes would pop right out! The plate was piled high with a stack of warm round pancakes. The second she saw them Alice remembered what they were. Next to the plate was a little bowl filled with sticky syrup. Tess lifted the next lid, this plate was covered with fruits, most of which Alice thought she may have eaten before. The third lid was lifted, this one had something on it that Alice couldn't place. She looked up at Nurse Tess. “Hash-browns. Potatoes, Dear, try them, their good.” Nurse Tess handed Alice a fork and kept one for herself. “Mind if we share?” Alice shook her head. Tess sat down next to her on the bed and began pouring the sweet syrup all over the pancakes. Alice carefully watched her hold the fork in her hand and tried to copy her as best as she could.

“Remember, eat slowly.” Alice nodded and stabbed her fork into the pancakes. Lifting it back up, three whole pancakes stuck to her fork, before sliding back off and onto the plate. This was harder that it looked. “Here Dear, let me help.” Nurse Tess began cutting up the pancakes into little pieces for Alice. “There, try that.” She attempted her first bite at real food again. The first stab missed, her fork hitting nothing but the plate. The second stab made it into a piece, and once again Alice began its route back up towards her mouth. Her arm was already hurting like crazy, but she was determined to eat. It looked so good! It took a few tries before the food actually made it into Alice's mouth, but when it did, it was bliss. She clamped her lips shut over the fork and pulled it out. The fork was now empty, and the food was on her tongue. Alice tried hard to think of the last time she had eaten a decent meal.