I slept the rest of the day and woke up the next morning. I was hungry, so I went into the kitchen and looked around for something. Everything I could find had to be cooked and I did not feel like doing it, so I poured myself a glass of orange juice and slowly walked back to the couch to sit. I sat there for a little while longer, then headed upstairs to shower. I was so tired that I didn't feel like showering because I would have to stand up so long, but I made myself do it anyway. When I got out, I found a pair of sweatpants and slipped them on. I tried to put on a t-shirt but felt a little dizzy, so I sat on the edge of the bed. I took a deep breath and heard the door downstairs open. I stood up and tried to get my shirt on, but it was no use. I could hear someone coming up the stairs. The last thing I wanted was for someone to see me in my bra.
"I'll be down in a minute. I'm trying to change." I heard the footsteps stop.
"Do you need any help?" I was startled by the man's voice. It was John.
"I'm trying to get it." I was still struggling to get my arms in. I had just barely gotten my head through the shirt. "It's taking me longer than I'd like. I just feel a little dizzy and tired."
"Well, the doctor said you might be a little dizzy at first." He paused. "Are you sure you don't need any help?" I finally managed to get one arm through the shirt.
"I got one arm in. Could you help me get the other?" I heard the footsteps come closer.
"Here." John reached out and grabbed my arm, gently placing it in my shirt sleeve.
"Thanks." I sat back down on the bed, not ready to make it back down the stairs yet.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired....upset."
"Why are you upset?"
"Well, I have to do more bed rest...I don't know for how long either. I have to go back to the doctor in two weeks to see if I'm clear to go back to work or not...and I'm upset because of what happened with us yesterday...you stormed out..."
"I'm sorry about that, Jen. I shouldn't have done that."
"Why did you?"
"It's just...I..." He rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. "I care about you a lot. When Paul called me yesterday and said he had you at the hospital...it scared me. I don't want anything to happen to you." Just then, I heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it. You stay put." I gently smiled at him, knowing he could tell I didn't have the strength yet to walk back downstairs. I couldn't hear anyone talking downstairs. It all sounded like whispers to me. I heard footsteps and turned to see Derek standing in the doorway, John beside him.
"Derek? What are you..."
"I heard what happened. I wanted to see you." I looked across to John and gave him a look like I wanted him to come closer to me. He came to my side. I reached for his hand and looked up at him.
"John, can you give us a minute?" John looked over at Derek and I knew he was unsure whether to leave me alone with him or not, but I nodded that it was okay. John kissed me on the forehead and walked downstairs. Derek came closer at sat beside me on the bed. "What is it that you want to talk about?"
"I'm sorry this happened to you, Jen."
"It's your fault, you know?"
"I know. I'm sorry. I never...I never wanted you to get hurt. It was an accident."
"Derek, get out."
"Jen, wait...please just listen..."
"No! I said get out!" I could hear John's footsteps racing up the stairs to my room.
"She said get out." John lightly shoved Derek out of the way and within a minute or so, we heard the front door slam shut. John sat beside me on the bed and I laid my head on his shoulder. "What was that all about?"
"It was nothing. Trust me." John reached an arm around me, letting me know he was there for me and wasn't going anywhere. "Weren't you supposed to work today?"
"I was, but I called in. I had to see you after everything that happened yesterday." My head was still on his shoulder. I gently raised it and John kissed my forehead.
"Thank you for coming over. I'm glad you're here with me."
"There's no place I'd rather be."
YOU ARE READING
Robbery in Progress
General FictionDrama. Action. Romance. Heartbreak. The perfect parts to any great story. Characters: Jen Marcum-main character/tells the story Paul O'Neil-Jen's work partner Julie O'Neil-Paul's wife Christina O'Neil-Paul/Julie's daughter Derek George-likes Jen Cr...