Chapter 202 - Room 412 (2) (1/2)

JoAnna went to room 407.

Older gentleman was there, as soon as his eyes landed on JoAnna, he said with an unfriendly tone: ”You are not Jill.”

”No, sir, I'm substituting her. She will be available later.”, JoAnna replied politely with a smile.

”Where is she?”, old man was quite rude.

JoAnna put on her best smile, in order to hide her irritation. ”She has an emergency.”

”Hmph...” Older man was not pleased, but he didn't say anything else.

JoAnna replaced his IV bag with a new one, checked the needle in his forearm, and left the room heading to the next one.

JoAnna entered room 412. Jeff was sitting on the bed, reading his emails on the laptop. She approached him. Seeing that he is not paying attention to her, she cleared her throat. ”Excuse, me. I'm here to check your IV.”

Jeff just glanced at her before returning his gaze to the laptop. He stretched his left arm on the bed beside him, where IV needle was inserted.

JoAnna took his action as an OK to proceed. She put new IV bag on the IV stand and took his arm to check the needle. She pulled up his sleeve and noticed a heart shaped birthmark on his forearm. Subconsciously she whispered, ”big J”.

Jeff lifted his gaze from the laptop. ”Excuse me?”

JoAnna shook her head and smiled while avoiding his gaze. ”Nothing, nothing. You are fine... Excuse me.” She left his room.

Jeff looked after her and thought how she looks familiar, but he could not remember where he saw her. He went back to his emails. After some time, he put his laptop on the side, deciding to rest. Since he is in the hospital already, he should take this opportunity to rest. Tomorrow he will discharge himself. Doctor said two days, but he feels fine, so one day will be enough and he will make sure not to overdo it.

Jeff lowered the bed and closed his eyes. In his mind, he heard JoAnna's voice say: 'big J' . He could not stop himself from thinking: 'where did I hear that before?' He closed his eyes and started drifting into sleep. Image of a small girl, maybe 5-year-old, with two ponytails, appeared in his mind.

”Big J, Big J... carry me on your back...”, she lifted her small chubby arms toward him.

Boy's voice responded, ”OK, little J... but this is the last time. Next time you walk, OK?”

”OK. I promise...”, she responded with a huge smile.

Jeff opened his eyes. He remembers that place... it is a park he frequented often when he visited his grandparents on the East Coast. Or was that a park? Maybe a farm, or a private property since there were not many people in the area. Was 'big J' him? If that was him, who is the little girl... could it be this nurse?

He already knows that nurse comes on every three hours to check his IV. Next time when she comes he will ask her.

Jeff could not sleep. The image of little girl was showing in his mind. Scattered memories of conversations...

”Little J, do you want vanilla or chocolate ice cream?”

Sad girl's voice responded, ”Why can't I have both? I like them both...”

...

Jeff was anxiously looking at his IV. Finally, door of his room opened. But it was not JoAnna.