SWEET INNOCENCE
Chapter Fifteen
On the way to the hospital, Jack
pulled up to the parking meter and pulled out a ticket. Rose looked at Jack and
took the ticket from his hand. They parked in a space and got out and closed
the doors. They walked into the hospital, headed towards Cal's room on the
third floor. As they entered Caledon's room, they saw that he was ready to go.
The male nurse took him out in a wheelchair to Jack’s car. Jack helped Cal
inside, and he sat down. "Thank you, Jack."
"You’re welcome." Jack
felt awfully bad that he couldn’t remember who he was or what he had done.
Jack looked at Rose. He suspected
that Cal’s memory would come back, but when, he had no idea. He would have
loved to tell him. But he just couldn’t. Rose stepped inside and saw Cal. He
was smiling at her. Jack fixed his baseball cap and got inside the car. Rose
opened the latch so he could get in.
He started the car and felt
awfully nervous about Cal coming to live with them. He looked back at Cal and
drove out of the parking lot. He handed the man his ticket and paid a dollar.
The elevated guard rail went up and he went. He drove and put on some music
because of the awkward silence. He patted Rose's knee and drove, looking at Cal
in the rearview mirror, who stared back at him from the backseat.
"I wanna thank you for all
you have done. I appreciate it." Cal looked at him in the rearview mirror.
"No problem. Caledon, my
house has a guest room. You will be staying there," Jack said, making
small talk.
"Thank you, Jack. When I
remember who I am I will give you something for your hospitality." Cal
fidgeted, his hands in his lap.
"Thanks, but you don't have
to." Jack yawned.
"Yes, I do. I feel as if I
owe you for it." Cal knew there was something special between him and
Jack. He just didn't know what it was.
"Well, when you remember who
you are, I hope you feel the same way." Jack looked at him in the rearview
mirror.
"What do you mean?" Cal
was puzzled.
"If I tell you who you are
and what happened, you might try and wreck this car, and I really don't wanna
fight right now, Cal." He would have loved to tell him who he was.
"Are we enemies?" Cal
asked.
"Somewhat." Jack didn't
quite know how much Cal had hated him.
"Oh. Then I am sorry."
Cal looked down.
"Don't be. Rose is the one
who suggested you stay with us." Jack looked over at her. She looked at
him.
"Well, then, thank you both.
Are you two married?" he asked Jack.
"Yes, we are. Have been for
seven months." He smiled, remembering that day.
"And she is with
child?" Cal asked. He was curious.
"Yes. It's mine. Rose is
eight months pregnant," Jack told him.
"Ah…I see." Cal looked
down and didn't ask anymore questions. There was nothing more to know than Rose
was already taken, and with child, no less.
When they got to their home, Jack
helped Caledon out of the car as Rose opened the door. She stepped inside and
picked up a few of Jack's shirts that were hanging around. The couch had been
cleared, and that was the first thing Cal did. Sit down. Jack went into his
room and put his keys down on the dresser. He stretched and yawned. After a
hard day at school and Rose with child, he had hardly been out now’a days. He
hardly ever saw Fabrizio, or his friend Tommy.
Rose sat down, staring at Cal.
She was the first one to speak. "Are you hungry?"
"No, but I am a little
tired. Can you show me where I will be sleeping?" Cal looked at her.
"Sure." She got up with
a bit of a struggle and started to walk to the hallway.
He got up and started to follow
her. She was the prettiest thing he had ever seen, even with child. He didn't
remembered a thing. He didn't know who he was or what he had been. All he knew
was that he was alive. When she showed him his room, he walked to the bed and
lay down. He immediately closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Jack took off his hat and brushed
the strands of hair to the side. He looked at Rose as she took Cal to his room.
When she came to him, she smiled. She kissed him and led him back to their
room.
"Where are we going?"
he asked as he yawned again.
"Last night was great, but
you didn't finish making love to me. I thought now was a perfect time."
Rose looked at him with her emerald eyes.
"With a guest in the
house?" He thought she was crazy.
"He's asleep. Anyway, I
promise to be quiet." She looked into his blue eyes, begging.
"Uh-huh. You sure about
that? You're never quiet when I am around." One of his eyes lifted, and he
smiled at her.
"But Mr. Dawson, I was not
the one screaming last night. You were." She laughed.
"If I take you, promise me
one thing." He pulled her into his arms.
"What?" She was
clueless.
"That you'll be in my arms
‘til I fall asleep." He always loved that.
"All right. I can do
that." She kissed him and took his shirt off.
He looked at her. He had never
found anyone more attractive than her. Tonight, even if it killed him, he would
take her to the stars over and over until he couldn't do it anymore. And if
everything came out according to plan, he would eventually tell Caledon about
Mary. He had nothing to lose, but a lot to gain. If Caledon was still angry
with him after all he had done, then he had nothing to lose, but if they became
friends, then that was something to gain.