Life on the Double J was strange for the next few days. Jimmy spent much of his days visiting his mother and his nights being loved by Jake and Barry. By silent agreement, Jimmy was given the center position in the bed.
Barry went with Jimmy on some of his visits to the hospital. At first, Bess was reluctant to see people. She was embarrassed by her partially numb face, her slurred speech, and the fact she dribbled.
One occasion when Barry walked into Bess’s room, she was pushing away her over-the-bed tray table. The lunch—soft and requiring minimal chewing—looked almost untouched.
“Horrible,” Bess slurred.
Barry smiled. “What, you don’t like watery soup and green Jell-O with ice cream?”
Bess shook her head.
“Good thing I came armed with something a little more tempting then.” Bar
