Patrick drove down to Jane’s apartment at Lisa’s request. Lisa was worried as Jane did not show up as she had promised.
Immediately they drove into Jane’s compound, Lisa made her way in while Patrick tried to turn the car around for an easy exit.
Jane was sitting on one of the sofas. She was lost in thought and did not realize Lisa had walked in.
Lisa walked in stealthily. She placed her hand on Jane’s shoulder and Jane almost jumped out of her skin.
“What the heck!” Lisa yelled. She was surprised at her friend’s reaction. “What’s wrong?” she questioned.
“It’s Jeff. He came around this morning. He wanted us to proceed with the wedding plans… Our parents wanted it too… But I differed. I told him we needed more time to know each other better. He got angry and said it was all because I went on a date with Benny Bells…” Jane jumbled her words.
“What?!” Lisa yelled. “Yes… I did not know he saw me, he said he was at Good Times and he saw everything… Do you think he would report me? I don’t want father to have a misconception about it all,” Jane lamented.
“A date with the PA? Are you going out with him?” Investigator Patrick’s voice boomed from behind.
Jane jumped and walked past Lisa to confirm the voice.
“I don’t think he would report you. If he would, he would have done so the day he caught you red handed. He won’t report you but do not be surprised, he may always use it as a leverage against you,” Patrick offered and walked in. “Are you really going out with the PA?” He repeated curiously. “No…” Jane responded but she was cut short by the ringing of her phone.
She went for her phone and her eyes widened as she viewed the caller. It was Jeff. She put a finger on her lips and signaled that her visitors remained silent. She picked the call and turned on the phone’s loudspeaker. “Hello Jane… I am proposing a date with you this evening and you can’t say no. I just wanted to cheer you up. I know you are probably beating yourself up about what transpired this morning. I understand you perfectly well and It’s nothing to worry about. I am sorry about my outburst… I do not doubt your commitment to our relationship. I am sure whoever I saw you with was just a friend. So? Are you in?… You must come in your gold rose gown. I like it on you,” Jeff said from the other end.
“Are you sure… Are you sure you are no more angry,” Jane asked.
“I was not angry, I was just jealous,” Jeff responded.
Jane heaved a sigh of relief as the call ended. She flew in Lisa’s arms happily. “Evening it is,” she said joyfully.
“I think I should take my leave already. I need to make it down to the fire fighters’ office in time,” Patrick said and was on his way out.
“Is he angry it something?” Lisa asked Jane. Both stared questioningly at each other and rushed after him.
When they rushed out, Patrick had already pulled out of the compound.
Lisa and Jane shared glances as they walked back in. Jane could not hold herself back. She began preparing for the date immediately.
“What the heck is this?” Patrick asked himself as he drove away. He knew why he felt angry. After he had listened to the call, he realized Jeff was messing with Jane. He knew it and felt like protecting Jane from him.
Lisa had left when Jeff drove in in the evening. He admired Jane’s gorgeous look and they resolved their differences before heading out.
******
It was late in the evening. The alert system in Alex’s room gave off buzzes. The nurses rushed in and found Alex conscious. His eyelids fluttered slowly while his hands moved repeatedly on the couch.
The nurses placed him rightly on the bed as he had tilted to the edge. They pressed the alarm button and soon a doctor rushed.
“This is a miracle. I didn’t expect that he would make it back. I was waiting for the best time to break the news to his wife but this? It’s indeed a miracle,” the doctor muttered as he examined him.
Alex became frantic immediately when he heard the word ‘wife’. “Where is my wife? Is she gone already? Did she finally go through with the divorce? No way! Get me Lisa. I need to see her, l need to apologize, she must not turn in the papers. I need her now. Get me Lisa! ” Alex stammered incoherently. He shook vigorously in the bed and continued to ask to see his wife.
“We will put a call through to her but your wife has been by your side. She visits often and weeps all day. Check yourself, you’ve been out for a month and here you are all cleaned. She did the cleaning. Do not worry, I am sure she will rush down as soon as she hears the news,” one of the nurses assured Alex.
Alex heaved a sigh. He closed his eyes and different memories ran through his head. He remembered his moments in the fire, some of his escapades with Marie and the moment he signed the divorce papers.
******
Lisa was lazing around with the kids. She had just spoken with investigator Patrick about the outcome of his enquiries at the fire station. She was lost in thought when her phone rang. ” Mum, your phone is ringing,” her eldest son Jerry said and brought the phone to her.
Lisa took the phone out of his grasp and rose to her feet as she received the call, she was surprised that Alex’s doctor was on line.
“Hello doctor, it’s Lisa…”
“Congratulations ma’am, your husband made it back to us…” Lisa could not respond. The phone dropped from her grips and she stared into space.
“Alex is back! My husband made it back! Yes Alex is back! She yelled suddenly and ran into the house. She ran back almost immediately and ventured into her car.
She pulled out of the compound and made a signal to Margaret to watch over the kids.
****
The evening was gradually turning into night. The two love birds sparsely discussed as they drove back home. The date wasn’t something spectacular but Jane grinned from ear to ear. The outing was worthwhile. They had resolved their differences.
Jeff pecked Jane as she stepped out of the car. He had rushed over to her side and held the door open for her.
Jane brushed her lips on his forehead in return. She insisted he drove off before she made her way in. They exchanged kind words and Jeff drove away.
Jane walked in. She was tired and worn out. She reclined into a seat and recounted the day’s event.
She could not but compare her date with Benny to her date with Jeff. She was happy that their differences were sorted out but that was all about it.
Jeff had taken her to Good Times and had reserved the same spot she used with Benny. She felt awkward and embarrassed sitting at exactly the same spot with another man.
She obliged to pay the bills out of guiltiness only to realize they had made pretty much orders.
Thinking back now made her feel manipulated and used as she realized Jeff chose the spot intentionally.