TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STRONG"

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales where a group of talented writers get together and write to a common word prompt. This week the prompt is "strong." We have another episode of "Two of Hearts" this week. When  you're done here, don't forget to visit the other writers. Find them HERE. 

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Jen arrived at intensive care by nine thirty. Marcy and Lillian were already there, talking to the doctor. The head of the bed had been raised and Stan was sitting up. He gave her a blank look.

Hesitating a bit, she approached the bed. 

“How are you?” Dark brown eyes washed over her.

“And you are?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“Jen. Your wife.” She clenched her fist to keep her hand from trembling.

“Oh. I have good taste,” he said, wearing a half smile.

Marcy’s raised voice caught her attention.

“I can only get permission from Mrs. Hogan,” the doctor said.

“Permission? For what?” Jen pushed her way between the two women who blocked her path.

She mustered all her strength to focus on the doctor’s words.

“We want to monitor him today and if he continues to improve, move him to a private room. With your permission, that is.”

“Whatever you think is best, Dr. Harrison.”

“He should stay in intensive care! You don’t know about his brain. It isn’t safe,” Marcy said, her voice shrill.

“Marcy. I trust Dr. Harrison’s judgment. We will do what he suggests. Why don’t you go for a walk? Get a cup of coffee?”

“So you can have alone time with dad? Nope. I’m staying right here.”

“Suit yourself. But I’m calling the shots.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Hogen,” Dr. Harrison said. He shook her hand and left.

“I can hear you,” Stan said, his voice soft and weak.

Marcy rushed over, shoving Jen aside. 

“I’m thirsty,” he said.

“Get him some water, Jennifer,” Marcy ordered.

A slow burn started in Jen.

“Can I speak to you outside, Marcy?”

“Not while dad’s awake. I almost lost my father. I’m not going to waste a minute.”

“Then I suggest you back off and be reasonable. You are standing next to the water pitcher, cup and straw. I suggest you give him some water or get out of the way, and I will.”

Marcy shot her a hostile glare but did fill the cup and hand it to Stan. His hand shook. He spilled the water all over himself and started shouting. Marcy apologized over and over.

“Get away, get away! Let me in there,” Jen said, tugging on her stepdaughter’s sleeve.

Shaken, the young woman backed up and stood by the wall. A nurse came in.

“What happened?”

“I’m wet. I’m wet!” Stan shrieked.

“A little water spilled,” Jen corrected.

“No problem. I’ll get a new gown,” the nurse said and left.

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "WATER"

Hello and welcome, 

Tuesday Tales are written by a group of talented authors creating stories to a word prompt. This week the word prompt is "water". We have another excerpt from "Two of Hearts." After you finish my snippet, hop on over to read the others. You'll find them HERE. Thanks for stopping by.

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“Come on, come on. A little more exercise will do you good,” Terry said to Queenie, dangling a treat in front of her nose. She snatched it out of his fingers, gobbled it down, then yawned. The pug lapped up some water, pushed to her feet, and stretched. Wagging her tail signaled she was ready. Terry put on the harness, straightened the new tie Clare had bought him for his birthday, and tripped out the door, humming.

He frowned as he remembered his last encounter with Jen. He hoped she’d have good news today. He hated to be happy when someone else wasn’t. Turning the corner, Queenie spied Willie before he spied Jen. They caught up to the lady and her dog. There were dark circles under her lovely blue eyes.

“Hi. How’d it go?” He asked, afraid the news was the worst.

“Hi. Okay. Okay, I think.”

“You think?” he raised his eyebrows.

“Stan woke up yesterday. But he was confused, angry. He almost hit me. Accused me of trying to kill him. He didn’t know who I was,” she said, her voice shaking.

“You’re kidding? Really?”

“It’s true. The doctor said he might be agitated, but I never expected he wouldn’t know me.”

“That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

Jen’s gaze slid over him. “You’re in a good mood. Something happen?”

Terry would never tell anyone about the Skype sex, but embarrassment colored his face anyway. “Had a nice conversation with Clare last night.”

Jen’s eyebrows shot up. “Just a conversation?”

“Well,” the heat deepened.

“Okay. I won’t push. Glad someone had a ‘good night’,” she snickered.

“I’m sure those are just around the corner for you and Stan.”

“God, I hope so. I’d be grateful if he just remembered my name!”

“You’re taking this well.”

“I didn’t sleep much. At least he’s alive. I’m hoping they’ll move him to a private room.”

“A private room?” Terr wiggled his eyebrows, making Jen laugh.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - "TWO OF HEARTS" - WORD PROMPT "ACTIVE"

Howdy Doodles and welcome to Tuesday Tales. 

Each week a great group of authors gets together to write their own stories to a communal word prompt. This week the prompt is "active." My story is again, a snippet from my women's fiction book, "Two of Hearts." When you're finished, don't forget to hop on over to the other authors' terrific stories. You'll find them HERE. 

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Marcy dragged an empty chair into the small area and sat on the other side of her father’s bed. 

“Look. I don’t have the energy to prop you up, too. It’s all I can to do keep my head above water. Your father is my life. My life! You’ll leave, go on a date, go to your job, back to your life. Stan is my life. My life is right here, in this bed, struggling to survive.”

“I get it. I’m sorry.”

“Let’s try to pull together. Be civil to each other. For Stan’s sake.”

“Right,” she said in a small voice.

 They sat in silence, staring at Stan. At noon, when there had been no change, Marcy offered to go to the cafeteria and bring up sandwiches. Jen slipped her a twenty and thanked her. She returned with two ham and cheese on rye.

“Dad’s favorite,” Marcy said, handing one to Jen.

They ate in silence while Stan slept. Jen dozed until two. There was no change in Stan. She left to walk Willie, then returned. By five o’clock, she was exhausted. She and Marcy went down to the cafeteria together. Although not interested in breaking bread with a stepdaughter who hated her, Jen figured it’s what Stan would have wanted.

They returned to their vigil by six. With her eyes closing, Jen almost missed the first signs of activity. Stan shifted in bed. He raised his right hand a few inches.

“Marcy! Look!”

The young woman’s eyes widened. “Dad?”

His eyelids fluttered for a moment. Jen’s heart swelled. Stan was waking up. Hot damn!

“He’s alive,” she murmured.

“Dad?” Marcy called.

Jen’s finger flew to her lips. She stared at Marcy and shook her head. “Let him do it by himself.”

As quiet as he had been, suddenly his eyes were open. She saw fear and confusion. With the breathing tube, he couldn’t speak. His eyes darted wildly around the room. His right hand flailed.

“Stan. Stan, darling. It’s okay. You’re in the hospital. You’ve had an accident. Get the nurse, Marcy.”

The young woman fairly flew out of the room, returning in seconds with a nurse, who removed the breathing tube.

Jen took his good hand and squeezed it. Stan stared at her with blank eyes.

In a hoarse voice she almost didn’t recognize, he croaked out, “Who are you?”

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES " SONG"

 

Howdy do and Happy New Year, y'all. Today our word prompt is "song". We're back with an excerpt of "Two of Hearts", but Jen's story today. And not steamy. Everyone can cool down with this one. Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to visit the talented authors of Tuesday Tales HERE. 

The trip to the hospital seemed to take an eternity. In the elevator, she checked her watch again. Only five after nine. She was in plenty of time. She blew out a breath, then drew one in when the doors opened. Listening to her heart beat as she approached intensive care, she held her breath.

Pushing open the door, she felt as if time had stood still. Everything looked the same as the day before. If she looked closely, she could see that Stan had a little more color in his face. She kissed him. A nurse burst in.

“The doctor will be here at ten.”

“Thank you. I’ve been praying that he wakes up.”

“We’re all with you, Mrs. Hogan.” The woman squeezed her hand.

“Thank you.”

Jen went over to the window and stared up at the sky. Clouds were clearing and the sun had poked through. Wasn’t that a good omen? the song, "Blue Skies" came to her. To avoid the pressure building inside her, she hummed a few bars. Before she finished the chorus, the door opened. It was Doctor Harrison.

“Mrs. Hogan.”

“Doctor. I’m ready.”

“I hope Stan is.” The doctor fiddled with the bottles and tubes going into Stan’s arm. “That’s it. Final dose removed. Now we wait.”

She sat in the chair next to him, silently praying.

“I’ll check back in an hour. I must warn you that your husband might be confused, even angry when he comes out. If he tries to rip the breathing tube out, get a nurse right away. The longer someone’s under a medically induced coma, the more irrational they can be when awakened. So don’t expect him to wake up, like he has every day, and ask you what’s for breakfast.”

“Okay.”

“Are you sure? And please don’t try to wake him. Let him come to naturally. I’ll be back in half an hour to check on his progress.” The doctor stood.

Jen shook his hand. Fear spiked inside her. She chastised herself for being afraid to be left alone with Stan. This was her husband. The man she adored. Stan—how could she be afraid? 

Jen’s hands trembled as the doctor and nurse approached Stan’s bed.

“Wait! Wait for me!” It was Marcy. Lillian hung back, standing in the doorway. That’s right. She no longer had a right to be there. Jen narrowed her eyes.

“Stand back, Marcy. Let the doctor do his job.”

The young woman shot her a nasty look. Beyond caring what her stepdaughter thought of her, Jen focused on Stan.

The doctor read Stan’s chart, examined his eyes, shining a tiny flashlight in them, smiled and put his hands in his pocket.

“Any time now. I’ll be back.” He and the nurse left the room.

Looking up, Jen glanced at the door. Lillian was gone. Jen was almost glad to see her stepdaughter.  

“Did you hear what the doctor said?”

“I spoke to him in the hall,” Marcy replied. Her eyes filled. “Why doesn’t he wake up?”

“Stop it! He will. You’ll see.”

That's all for today. Thanks for visiting.