Learning To Trust Again

Dr. Nichols smiled as he entered his own office and saw who his patient was. ‘Hey Jake’ he said as he seated himself in front of the other man ‘what the damage this time?’

‘Nothing major’ Jake replied with a smile.

‘Yeah, I’ve heard that from you before’ the doctor scoffed.

Jake laughed ‘I’m serious this time. Ask Rebecca.’

Ian turned to look at Rebecca. She nodded ‘it doesn’t look too bad.’

Turning back to Jake the doctor said ‘okay, her I believe. Now let’s get you fixed up and out of here’ and opening a draw he pulled on some disposable gloves

If Rebecca had been surprised to find the two men knew each other she was shocked to find as she listened to the them chat while Ian sewed up the wound, that they knew each other well and that Ian had treated Jake before. She had no idea Jake has been seen as a patient at the hospital before. She must have been unlucky in the past and hadn’t been on when he’d come in, because there is no way she wouldn’t have remembered if she seen him there.

A few minutes later Ian stood and said ‘okay Jake, I’ll let Rebecca dress that for you and you can be on your way. It shouldn’t worry you too much. Just come back in a week to get the stitches out.’

‘Thanks’ Jake said and held up his good hand in farewell as Doctor Nichols hurried out to see his next patient.

Rebecca sat down in the seat the doctor had vacated. She kept her eyes on Jake’s hand, not trusting herself to look at him when she was sitting this close. ‘Okay let’s get this dressed and then you can be on your way’ she said trying to sound casual, but feeling anything but.

‘No problem’ Jake replied his breath stirring the hair at her temple.

A shiver passed through Rebecca and she bit her bottom lip as she tried to focus, she was glad she was only dressing the wound and wasn’t the one doing the stitching. She couldn’t have done it.