"Well, I'm glad I got him and not the ones in that bad category."
"I know, right?" She laughed again. "Go ahead and head on in, and just holler if you need me, I'll stay in here until you're out."
"Thanks, Lara."
I headed into the bathroom with the things she'd brought me. I closed the door and stripped out of the hospital gown, then turned on the water. The shower was pretty basic, but the water felt great. I used the shampoo and soap, scrubbing myself clean from top to bottom. It felt so good to be clean. I dried off, then opened the packaging on the large-toothed comb she'd included, and combed out my hair, before French braiding it down my back. With it wet, it would hold for a moment while I put on brand new, clean underwear, which she'd also provided, and a new gown. I'd have to thank her for being so thoughtful, because I was fairly sure that wasn't standard hospital practice.
"Thank you so much for the underwear, and the comb. Did you buy those for me?"
"Well, it didn't seem as if you came in with much, and your visitor didn't seem to bring you anything, so… yeah, while I was out earlier, I picked those up. It was no trouble."
"You are amazing, thank you. And I'll happily pay you back," I replied as I pulled a hair tie from my purse and finished off the braid.
"No need, it was my pleasure. You've been such a treat to have as a patient, honestly." Lara smiled. "Now, let's get you back into bed, then you can look over the menu and order dinner for your last night here."
"Thank you, you all have been wonderful. I am totally going to add you all to my novel, I swear I will keep your names private and you won't be murdered."
Lara laughed. "I don't know, if it was a really cool death, I might not mind, only in a fiction novel mind you, not for real!"
I laughed too. "You want me to make you one of the victims?"
"That might be kind of fun, telling my friends I was a victim in a famous author's book."
Grinning I nodded. "Your wish is my command."
"I can't wait to read it!" Lara replied.
"I'll gift you a signed copy as soon as it's printed."
"Thanks." She laughed again. "So, is there anything else you need for now? I've got you hooked back up to the IV, and your meds have already gone in, but do you need anything else?"
"No, I'm good, I think. Just going to order dinner and watch the tv for a bit."
"Okay, just push the call button if you need me."
Lara left the room, a happy smile on her face, who knew being a murder victim in a fiction crime novel would make someone so happy? I giggled as I turn on the tv. Once I'd picked a show, they were running a marathon of A Crime to Remember on the ID channel, I ordered my dinner and settled in for a quiet evening.Chapter 8BrianI was sad to be discharging Jane from the hospital this morning. With her here, I could visit with her anytime, but I knew I needed to discharge her, let her continue her recovery at home where she'd be more comfortable than having people poking and prodding at her.
"I've set you an appointment in two weeks, ten a.m., does that work for you?" We'd discussed her schedule earlier and I knew she preferred morning appointments so that she could write in the afternoon. "You'll just come see me at my office instead of here at the hospital."
Jane nodded. "Of course. Ten a.m., I'll be there on time. Promise."
"And you'll remember to eat high potassium foods, and not skip meals and take your medication on time." I raised an eyebrow and smiled at her. I knew from some of the interviews she had given that she had a tendency to forget everything when she was writing.
"I will set an alarm, I won't forget."
"And you have my cell number in case you have a relapse?"
She grinned. "Yes. Programmed into my phone already."
"Alright then, you are free to go." I smiled at her.
"Thank you for everything." She reached a hand out and shook mine, lingering a moment as our gazes connected.
"It was my pleasure," I replied, and then pulled back and cleared my throat. "I'll see you in two weeks."
She nodded and then disappeared down the hall and into the elevator with a wave and smile at the nurses. She'd been a pleasant patient, all of the staff enjoyed her being here, not that we wanted her to stay, just that usually our patients weren't always very joyful or even nice. Too often they were demanding and rude, so having someone like Jane reminded us why we went into medicine in the first place.