Page 8 of Beneath Her Hands
“Okay,” Rosalind answered and turned back to the door. She gave Jane one last glance before pushing through it. Jane sat down heavily in her chair, completely unable to process what that was all about, even though she was the one to initiate it. Who the hell was this woman that she could get under her skin like this? Frustrated, Jane put aside the paperwork and went to check in on Leslie again.
As she stood in Leslie’s room watching the monitors, she noticed Leslie stirring in the bed. She glanced down just as Leslie’s eyes fluttered open. “Hey,” Leslie croaked then grimaced in pain.
Jane leaned down and took her hand, tears welling up in her eyes. “Hey, Les,” she said and forced a smile.
“What are you doing here?” Leslie asked, her voice barely audible.
“Checking in, you were pretty busted up when they brought you to us,” Jane said, fighting to keep her voice even.
“So I’ve been told,” Leslie said. “I guess some new military doctor put me back together.”
“That’s the gist of it,” Jane said and squeezed Leslie’s hand again.
“When do I get to meet her?” Leslie asked with an attempt at a smile, her bruised and swollen face made it look like more of a grimace.
“I’m sure she’ll be around,” Jane said and tried to brush it off. “How are you?”
“I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck,” Leslie said and chuckled, which quickly turned into moans of pain. “I’m okay, I guess.” Her head fell back onto the pillow.
“Good, you can’t die on me, I won’t allow it,” Jane said, her voice cracking slightly.
“What’s gotten into you?” Leslie asked. One of her eyes was swollen shut, but the other lifted a brow.
“What do you mean?” Jane asked.
“You’re being awfully nice forI told you so.”
“You really think that’s why I’m here?” Jane felt offended.
“I think this is why we broke up,” Leslie said, “and I think you don’t know how to process it.”
“I guess that’s fair,” Jane said and sat down in a chair next to her. “I just can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
“Jane, I love you, but we didn’t work,” Leslie said and grimaced again. Jane stood up and checked the machines.
“Do you need more pain medicine?”
“I’m fine, Jane.”
“You’re in pain,” Jane said.
“There it is.”
“There what is?” Jane stepped back.
“You’re telling me how I feel,” Leslie said and closed her eye. “Jane, I was hit by a truck yesterday. Of course I’m in pain, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. If it gets that way, then I’ll ask for help. You need to go do your job.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Jane had to force a smile when Rosalind poked her head in. She was really starting to get annoyed with her.
“Oh, hi, Jane, I didn’t know you were in here, I’ll come back later,” Rosalind said and started to duck out.
“No wait,” Jane said. “Leslie wanted to meet you.”
“Is this the one?” Leslie asked and lifted her head from the pillow.
“Yes,” Jane said, hoping her pained expression was appropriately hidden. “This is Doctor Rosalind Maxwell, the one who spent over six hours in surgery with you yesterday.”
“It’s good to finally meet you, Leslie,” Rosalind said and stepped into the room. “How are you feeling?”
