CONVICTED
Chapter Eleven

The next morning, the doctor permitted me to go in to see Jack. I happily walked into his room and sat down in a chair next to the hospital bed. Jack was sleeping peacefully, and I was grateful for the good things that had happened.

"We get to go home tomorrow," I told Jack quietly.

He didn’t even stir.

"The doctor said there was a place of his we could have. Just gotta pay rent once a month." I took Jack’s hand and collapsed it in my own. "I tell ya, Jack, I’m never getting on a ship again." Not a sound came from Jack. "The people…they saved us again, Jack. If it weren’t for them, I’m not sure either of us would be alive. I know I’ve already told you this, but I love you with all my heart and soul. I want to spend my life with you."

I decided to give him some peace and quiet, so I got up and opened the door.

"Don’t go…" I heard him say.

I turned to see his sexy blue eyes staring back at me, a small smile on his face. I smiled back and shut the door. I sat back down on the bed and pushed Jack’s hair to the side.

"I love you, too," he said, still not losing that sparkle in his eyes that I loved so much.

I stayed with Jack all day and all night and the next morning we were finally released. The doctor gave us directions to our new home and handed me some medication for myself and Jack.

Jack pulled on a coat and we walked outside in the warm air.

"So, where’s the shack that man gave us?" he asked, taking the map from my hands.

I pulled the front of Jack’s shirt and led him down the streets until we reached the house. But it was an actual house, one floor high but with shutters and curtains.

"Why did this man give us a house again?" Jack asked, reaching for the doorknob.

"I don’t know. Maybe he was so sure you were going to die that he wanted me to live somewhere. Who knows? Some people are crazy."

Jack pushed open the door and we gaped at our new home. There was beautiful carpeting and furniture all around. A kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom, all painted in bright colors with electric lights.

"That man gave us a fucking mansion!" Jack exclaimed, throwing himself on the couch.

"No kidding," I said, putting my coat on the floor.

I walked over and sat on the couch with Jack. He smiled in a weird way, and I did so back. It was the weirdest time of our lives, but we both enjoyed it.

*****

A couple of hours later, I went into the fully stocked kitchen and began throwing stuff together with the idea to make dinner.

"This is going to be perfect. We have a wonderful house and a fresh start at life," Jack said contentedly.

He walked up and kissed me, then went to explore some of the house.

I, too, was content, feeling that nothing could be missing in our lives. We had each other and a wonderful house, but mainly each other.

I ended up giving up on the cooking and just cooked some eggs. Jack and I split them, which was perfect for both of us.

Later on, I explored some of the books, which were written by people I had never heard of. The books seemed interesting, and I promised myself that I would read them. Jack fell asleep on the couch a few moments later, and I couldn’t blame him.

I myself felt completely drained from the events of today. I pulled out a sheet of paper with some charcoal and sketched Jack stretched out on the couch. I made sure every detail was perfect from head to toe.

I signed my initials at the bottom and hunted the house for a tack. I eventually found one and hung the picture up on the wall.

As I turned to the couch and cuddled up with Jack, I thought, Nothing gets better than this.

Chapter Twelve
Stories