Prodigal Catharsis

Chapter Seven

***Jeff***

'What the f**k, where am I, what's going on'

I can feel my eyes begin to open. There's a tingling in my right arm, so I try to move it. Something, pinning it down, so I look over and see Rachel resting on my arm. She lifts her head and looks into my eyes.

" Welcome back, Jeff," she smiles angelically.

"What are you doing," I asked.

"There's something I want to tell you," she started, but I didn't let her finish.

"I already know," I began, "Just keep holding onto my arm and stay with me until visiting hours are over."

"Okay, Jeff," she agreed.

Even with a massive headache and no idea what day or time it is, I'm still happier than I ever have been with Rachel holding onto my arm.

Jokingly, I state, "I bet Greg and Jessica are pretty pissed."

"You know," she starts, "I have been spending some time with them, and they seem like really nice people. You're lucky to have them."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. By the way, how long have I been out?"

"Three days," she answers.

"Holy s**t, that was one hell of a shot Tommy gave me. How is he doing?"

"I haven't talked to or seen him since the incident. He hasn't been at school. After you went out, he went on about you and me, assuming that we were f*****g. I tried to defend myself, but he struck me and sent me into the table. Shortly after that, security took him away in handcuffs. That was the most scared I've ever felt."

"Are you okay now?"

"Yeah, it's just a little cut inside my lip, I'll be alright."

"What else?"

"His buddies have been mentioning some kind of ambush."

I shrug my shoulders, "There's not much we can do about mouth running."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"Hey, I have a question for you."

"What would that be, slugger," she jokes.

"Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

Without a single moments hesitation, she answered, "Yes."

From that moment on, Rachel and I never left each other's thoughts. I wish I could tell you that everything worked out perfectly, but it didn't. There were many obstacles to come.

About an hour later, Greg and Jessica walked into he room, and by that time, Rachel crawled up into the bed and fell asleep on my shoulder.

"What the f**k is going on in here?" Greg demanded intimidatingly.

"Well," I started, "I woke up, saw Rachel asleep, woke her up, we had a conversation, and then she crawled into the bed and fell asleep again."

Jessica let out a little chuckle that woke Rachel up. She sprang up out of the bed, "Sorry, it's not what it looks like!"

Greg and Jessica began to laugh, followed by Rachel and then me.

Things between all of us became different from that moment. Rachel, now my girlfriend. Greg, Jessica, and I got along better than any time in the last four years.