The Perfect Stranger

Chapter 7: Lizzie

The room is dark, but I can see a sliver of light coming through the window slits. The last nurse must have forgotten to close them when she came in to do her rounds. I turn my head to look at a clock hanging on the wall in front of my bed above the television. It’s 9 p.m. I must have dozed off from all of the crying. I still feel a little groggy, but I’m able to sit up by myself. Go me! Looking around the room, it looks like your typical hospital room. On my right, there are two large windows that start at the ceiling and stop just at the height of a two seater sleeper bench sitting underneath it. Beside the two-seater sleeper there was a little ward- robe. On my left, there is the door privacy curtain with the door to enter and exit the room behind it. Sitting next to my bed is a small and seemingly cramped love seat that held a very large, perfect stranger of a man sleeping peacefully.

Jackson. So he didn’t leave? He did only just go for a walk, or maybe to get food or whatever. I guess all that matters is that he came back. A feeling of joy starts to spread in my chest. Why am I so happy he’s here? I barely even know this man. Also, didn’t I just get cheated on. Hmm, whatever. I never even got to ask him how he knows me or why he is still here. He looks pretty peaceful sleeping in this small chair next to my bed. Even though most of his body and face are cast in shadow, I can still make out his features. He is tall. I can tell that right off the bat, but I knew that already. He has long, strong legs that lead up to a strong torso with large biceps folded across his even bigger chest. His hands look thick and rough in this lighting. I wonder if they feel as rough as they look? If they’re strong? Could he pick me up with one hand while his other hand becomes a little lost traveling my curves? Mmmm, at the thought, a mewling sound comes up from the back of my throat. Where did that come from and what noise was that?

Jackson stirs slightly and it brings my attention back to the present. I shouldn’t be thinking like that. For all I know, he could have a girlfriend, or worse he could be married. The thought makes me almost cry. Ugh, I shouldn’t be feeling like this. I DO NOT KNOW this man. Jackson moves again, this time turning his face closer into the moonlight sprinkling into the room. His face looks like its been sculpted by a greek god. Sharp angles from his high cheekbones lead down to an angular strong jaw. He has full pink lips. The fullest pink lips I’ve ever seen on a white guy. Well, he’s more of a bronzed god sent from the perfect stranger heaven. He was obviously blessed by the gods or something because he has the longest lashes. Lashes that could make any woman jealous. And I know when he parts those beautiful lashes he exposes the warmest green eyes. Eyes so kind and com- forting. This man, where did he come from? How did I get so lucky? I could stare at this greek statue of a man all night, but I can feel my eyelids getting heavy again and its not long before I’m falling back into a blissful sleep.

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Instead of moonlight hitting my face and waking me up, this time I can feel the warm rays of the sun on my face. It’s a lot stronger than the moonlight that came in last night. Squinting, I peak open an eye and see Jackson is awake and is open- ing the blinds further than they were the night before.

“It’s too much light and way too early,” I squeak out. He turns so fast to face me.

“Oh good, you’re awake. The nurse came by earlier to see if you were awake. I told her that I’d get you up. She said that she had more information for you and that the doctor would like to come in and run some more tests to determine if you’re able to go home some time this week,” he rushes, in a nervous manner. Taking a breath, he’s able to compose himself and continues. “Also, it’s noon. So, not too early. I convinced the nurse to let you sleep in.” A smug grin thats way too sexy for any woman, especially one in my condition and with my unfortunate circumstances, appears on his face. “You’re welcome, Lizzie.”

My heart jumps as he says my name. How does he know my name? Does he know me and I not know him? Where does he know me from? Then my brain starts working again. I’m in the hospital, duh. He could have easily asked someone or overheard someone say my name. I mean the nurse did call me Lizzie when he was walking out yesterday. I wonder where he went yesterday. Did he hear any of the conversation between Nurse Dixie and myself ? Does he know that I’m pregnant, or that the father is an asshole who cheated on me? Time to start asking some questions and getting some answers. Nerves immediately rush through my body.

What if he is some type of sexy stalker? You know, one of those people who are so hot and you never suspect a thing until you’re on your honeymoon and he tries to kill you and wear your skin. Then, it’s too late. You’re a new jumpsuit for some psychopath... But that couldn’t be Jackson, right? He has kind eyes. Kind green eyes that sparkle at me when he’s just staring at me. He’s staring at me as if he was almost waiting for some type of response? Did he ask me a question while I was in my thoughts? Hmmm, maybe he is waiting for a thank you for letting me sleep in.

“Jackson, you’re staring at me,” I say, hoping he didn’t ask me question.

“Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was staring. I guess I got lost in my thoughts for a second. My apologies Lizzie. Is that okay, that I call you Lizzie?” Apologizing he takes a step closer towards my bed.

“Yeah, I guess that’s fine. But, as long as you answer an important question for me,” I ask him raising a, what I can assume is a little bushy, but arched eyebrow. “Do we know each other from somewhere?” I finally get out.

He looks at me and half smiles before he responds. “Yes and no.” He continues on, “Well I thought we were neighbors, but it turns out I am neighbors with your presumably ex-best friend. Well, kind of. We live on the same street and in the same building, just different floors. I’m not quite sure, at least on my part, that our paths have ever crossed, which allowed more than a passing and fading glance. I have seen you around before I mean, always in passing of course.”

So, Kassie and him are neighbors. That explains his placement at the scene of the accident. It also explains why he helped me, it’s because he recognized me from seeing me in the building’s lobby waiting on my ex-best friend. But, it doesn’t explain about anything else, like, why isn’t my family here?, and why is Jackson still here? Wait, he said ex best friend. That means he knows something about how I ended up here. I wonder how much he knows.

“You said ex best friend. I guess you know some details from that night? Other wise you wouldn’t have called her what you called her?” I ask him. A quick flicker of what seemed like indecision flies across his face, like he is deciding whether he should tell me what he knows. He must know everything. “So, you know just about everything that happened, don’t you?” I cut him off before he could answer. “It’s okay. I guess it’ll come out sooner or later. I guess my next question is did they come see me at all?” My voice is just above a whisper with that last part. I don’t think I can handle that answer right now. Although, I think I know the answer. It’s written all over Jackson’s face. That would be a big fat NO.

I guess I shouldn’t have expected it to be different. Did I expect him to really come after me when he was too busy f*****g my best friend behind my back. What an asshole he turned out to be. My family was right. I should have left him a long time ago. But I didn’t expect Kassie to be like that. She was my right hand, my sister from another mister. How could she do that to me? How could she not come see me and not be here when I woke up? No matter the situation, I would have thought she would be sorry about it and at least want my forgiveness and to save our relationship. But, I guess not. Some sisters we are.

I can feel the tears burning at the back of my eyes. I guess Jackson can tell they’re coming too, because before I know it he has me wrapped in a bear hug. Tears are now streaming down my face, my liquid pain staining his shirt.

It feels like the tears are never going to stop, but soon the well dries up, and we are both left with the weight of the aftermath of my emotions. The awkwardness is suffocating. “Sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me. I’m not usually so emotional about things. I guess it’s the baby,” I say before I realized what I’ve said. Oh crap, now he knows I’m in a huge s**t situation.

“You’re pregnant?” he asked, catching my little slip up. “Did you know before the accident?”

I sit quietly for a minute before responding. “No, Nurse Dixie told me yesterday after you left out of the room. I’m eight weeks and the father is sleeping with my best friend. Excuse me, my ex best friend. She didn’t even come to see me.” I can feel the sting of tears again and try to calm myself. Jackson rubs my back in circular motions in an effort to calm me down again. His hands are big and warm, leaving trails of fire where his fingertips touch my gown. I shouldn’t be feeling this way right now. I was just falling apart because of my current situation, yet here comes Jackson. With just a look or the touch of his hand, I’m hyper aware of my senses. Before our conversation continues, we are joined by Nurse Dixie and an older white gentleman in a white coat who I presume to be the doctor.