Twenty-Six

                                    

                                          
Waking up, I looked around and did not see anyone. Surely John would not just leave me like this without saying something first. I called out for him.

                          
"John? John, where are you?" I slowly sat up on the couch and looked around for him. I noticed a piece of paper on the coffee table that had not been there before, so I picked it up.
                          
 I went out to grab a pizza. Be back in a bit. -John
                          
Was he not just the sweetest? It did kind of upset me, though, that he left without saying anything to me first. Maybe I didn't want pizza? Oh, who am I kidding? The pizza sounded great. I just wish he would have told me. I would have liked to have just ridden with him to get it. I hate being cooped up in this house. The creaking of the door made me turn around. 
                          
"Now you're awake. Did you read the note?" I nodded. "Here's our pizza." 
                          
He held up the box like I couldn't see it without him doing such.
                          
"John?"
                          
"Yeah?"
                          
"Why didn't you wake me up to tell me you were going to get us something to eat?"
                          
"You were sleeping so well, and the doctor said you needed rest. I didn't want to wake you."
                          
"I would have liked to have gone with you." He made his way closer to me. "It would be nice to get out of this house. I know the doctor said I need rest, but I still think that I can at least sit in a car for a little bit." John nodded. 
                          
"Well, how about I take you somewhere after we eat?"
                          
"Where?"
                          
"It's a surprise." I rolled my eyes, knowing I have told him countless times already that I do not like surprises. We each ate a couple of slices of pizza and ate the donut we had saved from earlier. 
                          
"Thanks for the food, John."
                          
"No problem. Glad I can help you out...or that you're actually letting me help." I laughed, knowing the last thing I ever wanted was for someone to have to take care of me. The feeling of being helpless was too much for me to handle. "Well, you better get ready."
                          
"For what?"
                          
"For the surprise, remember? I'm taking you somewhere." 
                          
"Well, you better give me some time. I'm not the fastest right now, you know." John laughed and I knew he was bugging me. I had John help me upstairs to my room. He had one hand on my back, following me up the stairs. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to go back downstairs." John nodded and closed the door behind him so I could change. I found a pair of jeans and a nice blue top and put them on, slipping on my tennis shoes next. Bending over to tie them, I felt a little light-headed. It was probably because I needed to build up my strength. This concussion was the worst. "Can you come in here?" John opened the door and looked at me sitting on the bed. I raised my leg, pointing at my foot. 
                          
"Do you want me to tie them for you?" I nodded. 
                          
"I hate feeling helpless." John was now bent on the floor, tying my shoes. He looked up at me with such compassion.
                          
"Why did you need help with these?" 
                          
"I just got a little light-headed, that's all."
                          
"Your doctor didn't say anything about that, did he?" I thought about it and even though I could not remember him saying it, I still think it's probably common.
                          
"No, he didn't. It's probably common, though. I just need to build up my strength. Laying around here all day isn't helping much."
                          
"If this continues, you need to talk to your doctor." I nodded, hoping I did not get light-headed again because I did not want to call my doctor and end up in the hospital again. I hated hospitals. I stood up from the bed. "Are you ready?" 
                          
"Yeah." John walked down the stairs in front of me, making sure I did not fall. "Can you grab my phone and wallet?" I pointed to the coffee table. John picked them up, following behind me to close the door behind us. He opened the door to his car and shut it once I got seated inside. 
                          
"Thank you." On the drive, I was getting nervous. John kept giving me surprises and those were something I never liked. My heart was starting to beat fast, and I could feel my stomach in my throat. My anxiety was acting up and I was trying to stay calm as to not freak John out and ruin our day. John must have noticed I was acting differently because he spoke. 
                          
"Hey." He placed a hand on my leg. "Are you alright?"
                          
"Yeah, I'm good." I don't think he believed me, but he didn't question me about it any more of the drive. I think he could tell I did not want to talk about it. This was terrible, though. I'm not acting like myself and I always get so irritated when I feel like this. I hated it.
                          
"Here we are." I looked out the window to see the park. "I thought you might like some fresh air and there are benches, too, if you get tired." I got out of the car and we started walking, side-by-side, around the park. I turned too quickly and tripped over a rock, falling to the ground, and scraping my hands. "Are you okay?" John stretched out his hands for me to grab. "Let me help you." 
                          
"I'm fine!" I struggled a little but got up on my own. I didn't say a word, just dusted myself off. I started walking again, this time I stopped to sit on the bench nearby. John was slow to sit beside me, probably afraid I would yell at him again. "John, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I didn't mean it."
                          
"It's okay, Jen. I know you must hate not being able to do your normal routine."
                          
"I do." I paused for a minute, tears forming in my eyes. John looked at me with such compassion. "I hate feeling helpless."
                          
"You're not helpless. You just need someone to be around for a little bit." I wiped the tears from my eyes. John paused and I noticed how he was struggling to get the words out. "I have to work tomorrow, and I was going to stop by tomorrow afternoon when I got off, but if you'd rather someone else stop by, it's okay." I could tell John had enjoyed being around and taking care of me all day. 
                          
"You can stop by." John looked up at me and smiled. "But you better not show up without some food." We both laughed. I'll let Paul know you'll be coming by."
                          
"You know he's not going to let you go until the afternoon without someone stopping by." 
                          
"You're right. He will probably come by on his lunch." 
                          
"Well, are you ready to go?" I nodded.
                          
"Can we get something to drink?"
                          
"Of course. You just name the place." I smiled at him.