More worries for Jim?

He waited for the nurse seemed to take a long time to answer, as if she was searching for the words. While he waited his mind wandered again “what would it be like with Colleen, or Georgina…dear Lord I must stop thinking like this its sinful” He shut his eyes, about to pray when Mary Beth finally responded.

“I don’t think you could ever be rude or cross. You never have been rude yet and no she has left the hospital she won’t be back till tonight. Was there something you wanted, is there something I can do for you” she leant over his bedside “we all think you’re totally awesome, you’re brave, you never complain, you’re a wonderful patient” She paused. “Its time you got a bit mobile again Jim, here let me help you up and then walk to the nurses station and back. Its not your legs that were badly injured – just a few cuts there” She put her arm round his waist as Jim got out of bed.

“Um I’m sorry I guess I am a bit shaky still”, he said as he nearly stumbled.

Mary Beth tightened her hold round his waist, drawing him into her as they began to walk slowly. “Its ok Jim don’t worry come and lean on me. You got a bad head injury on Thursday, they hit you hard, your skulls fractured, you have a subdural haematoma, you’ll be a bit groggy for a few days yet.” She glanced at him and smiled “Mind you I could get used to this. Not every day we have patients as sexy as you are”.

Jim blushed and stuttered “Um well thank you very much. Um how long will I be here.”

She giggled “Not long enough. I would like you to stay here so I can really get to know you” she looked at him and smiled again “ Until the end of the week- Thursday or Friday I guess. Then you’ll need a few days at home before you can go teaching again. But Jim when you are out of here … can we have a date?”

Jim’s blush deepened “I’ve never had a real girlfriend and now all these people Colleen, Georgina, Mary Beth …seem to be …well…after me. Can’t be happening, its not possible” he thought.

Mary Beth’s face fell as Jim didn’t respond “Don’t you like me…don’t you think I’m good looking…”she was hurt, it was hard for her to ask Jim “look most times I have a problem chasing boys away, if I wanted to I could go out every night of the week” Her hand slipped from Jim’s waist.

"P’raps my brains still not working properly Mary Beth. I’m sorry. Its just a bit unexpected” He turned to look at her as they reached the nurses station and turned round “I mean I have never spoken to you before”

“Maybe you don’t remember it but I was the admissions nurse when you came in and I spoke to you when you first recovered consciousness, and I have spoken to your Mom and your sister…which reminds me they are coming to see you this evening…you should have a wash and clean up first. Would you like some help?

Jim blushed even more “Um no it’s not right…you’re a lady and I don’t want you to…”

"Jim don’t be a prude I’m a nurse” she cut in before he finished speaking.

“Yes but you're a very good looking young lady".

“So he finally notices” Mary Beth snapped sarcastically “Gee thanks”

"No I mean it…you are…and if things were different then …yes we could go out together”.

"What do you mean if things were different?".

“I don’t want to get committed to anything…I’m not really ready for that and anyway I’m only here for another 9 months then I go back to New Zealand”.

“Well who is asking for commitment…I asked for a date not a marriage proposal…and nine months is a long time…I don’t think I’ve ever had the same boyfriend that long anyway. Look never mind. It doesn’t matter. Perhaps…” she broke off as Jim shuddered and his legs gave way. He would have fallen to the floor had she not held him. “Its back to bed for you Jim. You had some sort of seizure. Maybe your head injury is worse then we thought. I'll talk to the doctors about getting an MRI scan” She led him back to the ward and left thinking “Last time I try to invite a boy for a date…and he’s not a boy anyway he's ….” She checked on the admission notes “27, I thought he would be mature, he was cute too” She went about her other work a little sadly, thinking about what a night with Jim might have been like. The hospital was quiet on Sundays for it tried to clear as many patients out as possible for the weekend so Mary Beth found she had little to do and walked past Jim’s ward.

"Mary Beth …look I am sorry can you come here please,” he said as he saw her walk past. “I’m no good with girls…I feel all silly…and I also feel dreadful here…teaching is one thing but in hospital I am pretty helpless. I like to be in control and here I am not.” He put out his hand and clutched hers briefly. “I’d like to go out with you sometime if I may still.”

"Sure Jim I’d like that very much. No commitments on either side ok?"

“Yes” he smiled weakly.

Mary Beth leant forward and kissed him on the lips, her hand brushed his hair lightly.

"Who is this nurse please James?"

Jim blushed yet again as his mother walked into the ward.