ILY

ILY Tonight and Tomorrow

It was quite challenging for Jethro to fall asleep that night. He could hear Topaz silently breathing on his side.

He was not complaining but he was asking the universe why he ended up in such a predicament. He was happy and sad at the same time. Who wouldn't be happy to be with someone you care about? Who would feel blessed to be this close to someone dear to you? But Jethro wished it was under different circumstances.

But yet, the moment felt perfect. He was facing slightly towards Topaz. Jethro lightly touched Topaz's fingers. It felt warm despite the cold that he felt on his cheeks. She was right. It was cold during that time of the night in the hospital.

Jethro tried to close his eyes. With the silence surrounding them, he could hear the steady beat of Topaz's heart.

He tried to focus on that sound and did not realize that he had already fallen asleep.

The movement of the nurses and doctors entering the room startled Jethro enough to cause him to take up. They did not seem to mind seeing him lying there.

"How was the patient last night? Did she sleep well?" The doctor was obviously looking at him.

"She slept like a baby." Jethro looked at Topaz, she was still sleeping.

"No nightmares or anything?"

"Not that I noticed anything. It was a quiet night."

"For any change in behavior, please let us know. I could recommend a psychiatrist. This was a traumatic experience for her. She might be suppressing her emotions." The doctor said after scribbling on his notes and then proceeded to the door. Jethro just nodded and sat back beside Topaz's bed.

She was still sleeping. He looked at his wristwatch. It was around six in the morning. If he starts to prepare for school, he would need to leave by 6:45 am to avoid getting late. Mrs. Layton wouldn't be back till 10 in the morning.

He moved close to the door, far from Topaz's bed, and dialed his Uncle Clyde's number.

"You had better have a good reason to call me this early in the morning." It was pretty obvious that Jethro woke Clyde with his call. But knowing his uncle, he rarely missed calls. He might look like a bum, but he knows how to take care of his family.

"I am planning to skip school today." He could be pretty honest with his uncle too.

Clyde actually felt more like a brother to Jethro than an adult who had authority over him. Clyde was just eight years older. He was actually the brother that Jethro never had.

"Tell me you are doing this for a girl. If not, I am definitely going to tell your Dad. You already skipped school yesterday. I had to come up with my own personal emergency to cover up for you." Clyde still sounded sleepy but Jethro knew that he was keenly listening to every word that he said.

"Is this for the same girl that you always stalked in that music store s***h bookstore in town?" Clyde was awake now. He was teasing Jethro.

"I am not stalking her."

"But it's the same girl, right?"

"Yes." Jethro smiled a bit while looking back at Topaz. She was still asleep.

"Fine then, but promise to go to school tomorrow. I'll just call them and let you know you have to attend to some personal matters with me." Clyde said. "And please try to go home later if you can. I have something to give you." Clyde yawned on the opposite line. "Now, let me sleep for a few minutes. I'll call your school later, OK."

"Thanks, Clyde. I owe you one."

"Nah, anything for you. Bye now." Clyde turns off the phone.

When Jethro looked back at Topaz, she was starting to wake up.

“Good morning.” Jethro quickly hid his phone in his pocket and walked towards Topaz.

“Good morning. Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for school?” She asked while straightening her hair with her hands. She felt vulnerable waking up undone with Jethro there.

“Actually I am not going to school today. I just called Clyde to cover for me,” he said.

“But…”

Jethro sat on the edge of the bed and held one of Topaz’s hands. “I feel like staying with you. You said your Mom wouldn’t be back until 10. I just can’t imagine you here alone. I won’t miss a lot at school. It is kind of slow lately really.” He knew he said too much but he did not want Topaz to argue with him about staying.

"Are you sure?" Although Topaz was still asking, she did not look like she was not up to the idea. She didn't want to be alone while waiting for her mother. She would just end up feeling pity towards her condition right now.

"I am certain," Jethro smiled. "I am about to grab breakfast in the canteen. Do you want anything?" He asked, pointing on the door.

"Nah, I'll just stick with the hospital food. They will be here at any minute."

"Are you sure? I can smuggle you anything you like." Jethro was trying to create a light atmosphere.

"Yeah, I am quite sure."

" OK then, I'll head out now." He said, but he was still waiting to see if Topaz would ask for anything.

Jethro tried to be as quick as possible. He did not want to leave Topaz alone. After grabbing a few sandwiches, chips, water, and a soda, he hurried back to her room.

The hospital crew had just left the room when he arrived in the hallway close to where Topaz's room was.

"Hey, just in time. I just got mine. We could eat together." Topaz said, smiling, seeing Jetro enter the room.

"Sure, I'll help you out." He quickly sat on the chair located close to Topaz's bed. He moved the table so he could feed Topaz.

"My hands are perfectly fine," Topaz said as she took a sip from the spoon with the soup.

"Yeah, but I want to do this. You can eat on your own later." Jethro said, giving another spoonful of the soup to Topaz.

Jethro took turns taking a bite from his sandwich while feeding Topaz. They enjoyed a light conversation together.

They were about to finish when Mrs. Layton arrived.

"Mom, you're early."

"Yeah, I did not spend that much time in the police station." It was very obvious that Mrs. Layton was trying to put a smile on his face. Jethro could only assume that things did not turn out well for Mrs. Layton that morning.

"Good morning, Mrs. Layton," Jethro timidly said. He continued to feed Topaz with the last spoonful of soup.

" Thank you for staying, Jethro. I really appreciate it." She walked towards them and helped Jethro with Topaz's empty food tray. "Let me do this, go and finish your breakfast. You will be late for school."

Jethro and Topaz looked at each other. Even without saying a word, they already knew that Jethro's plan to skip school should not be mentioned to Topaz's mother.

Jethro silently finished her breakfast while Mrs. Layton washed Topaz's face and arms. He already knew that he had to leave once he was done.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Layton, I have to go now." He then looked at Topaz. "I will try to visit later." Jethro was looking at Topaz now.

"You go get some rest, Jethro, I will be staying the night with Topaz." Mrs. Layton said, smiling endearingly at him. "Again, thank you for being so helpful."

"Anytime Mrs. Layton." He looked at Topaz and waved. She waved back. "I will call and text you later." He said before leaving the room.