Chapter Eighteen
“Miss Bennett, she’s in the ICU now,” Ann said calmly, “she’s under, but I think she’ll want to see you when she wakes up.”
Ann’s love for Joan transcended petty rivalries and jealousy. She could sense that Vera was very special to her and wanted to make sure she was there when Joan regained consciousness. Ann knew that Joan might suffer memory loss or worse but if she did remember her previous life, she knew Vera was an important part of it.
Vera and Ann sat on both sides of Joan’s bed. The rhythmical beeping of the monitors invited drowsiness. Vera bent forward resting her head on Joan’s bed. Ann leaned back and was soon overcome by sleep.
When Joan opened her eyes the first thing she saw was two angels watching over her. At first, she didn’t understand. It took her several minutes to remember Ann and then, Vera her deputy. Her deputy to whom she had tried to confess her feelings unsuccessfully. Her deputy who fled her home in the middle of dinner. Why was she here?
“Vera?” Joan could not recognize her own voice. It was raspy and shriveled.
“Joan,” tears trickled down her cheeks, “Joan.”
Ann rubbed her eyes, “Joan? I’ll get the doctor.”
“Bennett, the Governor is awake. Time to go,” the accompanying officer had orders to return Vera to corrections as soon as Joan woke from surgery.
“Joan, I’m sorry I have to go,” Vera said tearfully while holding Joan’s hand as if her life depended on it. “I love you. I always have and always will.”
Joan couldn’t understand why Vera had to leave.
She couldn’t understand why a corrections officer was escorting her out of the room.
Everything was so confusing.