Through the Glass

by Lisa J. Hobman

  Jim huffed the air out of his lungs like he had been winded. He shook violently and brought his hands to his face.

  “Mr. MacDuff, are you alright? I know this is a lot to take in. Can I get you a drink of water?” Dr. Guzman asked

  “Thank you…yes,” Jim croaked. Dr. Guzman left the room.

  “Mr. MacDuff—”

  “Call me Jim, please.”

  “Okay, Jim…once we have ascertained the young woman’s identity and if it does prove to be Ms. Johnston-Hart, we will need to ask you some questions, okay?”

  “Yeah…whatever it takes. How…however I can help,” was all Jim could manage to stutter.

  Dr. Guzman returned and handed a cup of water to Jim. “Now, once you’re ready, we’ll go. But I have to warn you that the young woman is attached to a number of pieces of medical equipment to help sustain her. Please don’t be alarmed. She is in the best hands here and we’re doing our best to make sure she’s comfortable.”

  Jim finished the cup of water in one gulp and stood, “I’m ready.”

  They walked along a long corridor flanked on either side by numerous rooms housing some seriously ill-looking patients. Shivers traversed Jim’s aching spine. The doctor and detective came to a halt outside a room with a large window. Through the glass, Jim could see the body of someone lying on a bed, surrounded by large pieces of equipment just like he’d been warned. Wires protruded from the body. Oh God, surely that’s not her? His blood ran cold and he placed his palms on the window.

  “Okay, Mr. MacDuff, you can go on in. We’re right here with you.” Dr. Guzman held open the door.

  Jim nodded. “Please…call me Jim,” was his autopilot response.

  Hesitantly, he walked into the room. An intermittent bleeping noise was audible, and situated by the bed was a large cylinder, which contained something resembling a concertina folded paper bag, expanding and contracting, hissing as it moved.

  As if noting his concern the doctor spoke. “This apparatus is a ventilator. It’s helping her to breathe at the moment, but don’t worry, she is being kept in this state whilst we assess any damage caused by the overdose of the drug she was subjected to.” Jim simply nodded again.

  He approached the bed and inhaled sharply, almost stumbling backward at the terrifying vision before him. He ran his hands through his hair and rested them atop his head, struggling to take things in. A wave of nausea hit combined with dizziness. Someone placed a hand on his back to steady him.

  “Do I take it you can confirm the identity of this young woman?” Detective Rand enquired.

  Jim’s voice was almost a whisper as he replied. “It’s her. It’s my Flick.”

  Chapter 27

  Dr. Guzman pulled a chair over and beckoned Jim to sit beside the bed. “We’ll leave you alone for a while, Jim. Please call if you need anything.”

  Jim spun around. “Wait! Can I…can I touch her? I’m afraid to but…I want to…just to hold her hand.” He looked pleadingly at the doctor.

  “Of course you can, Jim.” Dr. Guzman patted his shoulder. The doctor and the detective left the room.

  Felicity had been lying here for over a week, his poor, beautiful girl, no one knowing who she was. The thought yanked his heart into his throat and made his eyes sting. He took her hand in his and felt relieved that it was warm. Her face was pale and drawn, and her closed eyes were sunken and rimmed with dark circles, the lids had a distinct purple hue. A tube was strapped to her skin, which led to the ventilator, and at its end point distorted her once full and beautiful mouth. Her usually perfectly styled hair laid dully spread across the pillow.

  At least her hand is warm. That has to be a good sign, right? Jim tried his best to eradicate the fear that was creeping over him. The feeling of dread lay heavy in his stomach. He stifled the sob trying to escape his body as a nurse walked into the room.

  “Hi, Jim. I’m Norah,” the kindly looking woman said as she smiled over at him. “I’m one of the nurses taking care of Felicity. If you need anything just holler. Oh…and talk to her. She may hear you.” She patted his shoulder and then proceeded to mark things off on the chart she held.

  When Norah left the room, he looked back to Felicity. She looked so frail and helpless lying there. He squeezed her hand. Clearing his throat, he began, “F-Felicity…it’s…it’s Jim. I don’t know if what the nurse said is true but…I’m here. I came as soon as I heard. They will find who did this to you. I’ll make sure of it.” Tears stung his eyes and he blinked them away. Gritting his teeth he went on. “I can’t believe someone would do this to you. I just can’t.”

  He drew in a long shaky breath, “I have so many regrets, Flick. That last time I saw you… I should have been honest but…I was a coward. I was too afraid to tell you I still love you. I treated you so badly and I’ll never forgive myself for that.” He rested his head on their joined hands for a moment to compose himself. “That’s the truth, Flick. I still love you. Always have, always will. I know I may have messed this up, but as soon as you’re better I’ll tell you again. If you don’t want me, I’ll understand. But at least you’ll know. I don’t deserve you though. I never have. Your mum was right. The funny thing is…and if you were awake you’d laugh…she’s decided she likes me. Can you believe that? It’s only taken fourteen years, a plane crash, and an attempted murder, but hey…” He smiled, wishing he could look into her sparkling eyes once again.

  He squeezed her hand gently. “I want you to come home. I want to take you to Scotland and look after you…forever, Flick, if you’ll have me. I want to set your easel up and watch you paint. I want to cook for you and go for walks with you. I want to snuggle up with you and watch sappy movies and to feel you next to me in our bed. To wake up with you and bring you breakfast. To take you for long walks up to the viewpoint…our viewpoint. I just want to have the chance to be with you again.” His lip trembled and saltwater escaped his eyes once more. “You should see the gallery, Flick. Your paintings are amazing. They look stunning hung there in Glasgow. Everyone loves them.” He glanced at her face to check for response but there was none. “Julian has worked so hard. He’s a great guy. He said seeing as you discovered him he wanted to discover you right back. He’ll be so happy you’re okay… You will be okay, Flick. Any time you want to open your eyes will be fine…there’s no rush… I’ll wait for you. I’ll always wait for you.”

  After a while Norah returned. “Jim? Detective Rand would like to speak with you. And we feel it’s best if you get some sleep and come back tomorrow, okay?”

  Jim shook his head. “No…no I can’t leave her… What if she wakes up and needs me?”

  Norah smiled reassuringly. “If she wakes, we’ll call you. Please don’t worry, honey. The test results are due in very soon. Once they are and if he feels it appropriate, Doctor Guzman will begin to bring her around.”

  Jim was too tired to fight. He followed Norah to the room where Detective Rand was waiting. Detective Rand shook his hand and offered him a seat.

  The detective sat, too. “Okay, Jim. Is there anything at all that springs to mind that you can tell us that may lead us to who tried to kill Ms. Johnston-Hart? Anything at all. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem. For example, do you know of anyone who may have held a grudge? Or anyone you know who may have been on the medication that was found in her system?”

  “I’m sorry… I know nothing at all. We were divorced and didn’t really keep in touch. Our last meeting was when she told me she’d been offered a job here. She wasn’t on any medication herself that I know of, so I have no clue.”

  “Okay, that’s kind of what we figured, but we have to ask, you understand?”

  “Sure, sure. Have you got any leads at all? I mean, is she still in danger from someone waiting for her once they know she’s alive?”

  “Well, apart from the obvious possibilities of organ damage, we presume that currently the perp presumes she’s dead. Hopefully it’ll stay that way until we catch up with them
. We’re interviewing people at her work place right about now. There’s a guard posted on the door from the time I leave, so please don’t worry. No further harm will come to her while she is here, and we’ll ensure that none comes to her once she’s well enough to leave. It’s my intention to solve this case before she’s discharged and leaves for home. In my opinion, this was an amateurish murder attempt. I think we’ll close in very soon on the culprit.”

  “Thanks…thanks so much, Detective.” Jim vigorously shook the man’s hand.

  ~~~~~

  A yellow cab transported a rather dazed Jim MacDuff back to his hotel. Penny had thought of everything, bless her.

  Jim called her once he was in his room. “It’s her, Penny.”

  The scream that came over the line was joy-filled but piercing, forcing Jim to pull the handset away from his ear. He couldn’t help but smile. Once she had calmed down, he filled her in with the details he had been given.

  Her joy was short lived. “Oh, Jim, who would do such a thing to our darling Felicity?” She sobbed. “She didn’t have any enemies that I know of.”

  “I have absolutely no idea, Penny. But they will figure it out. They’re already covering every possible angle. I spoke with Detective Rand again today, and he seems to be determined to get it sewn up quickly. We have to have confidence in them. They know what they’re doing.”

  “Oh, Jim, dear… I do hope so… I just want her home now.”

  “Me too, Penny…me too.”

  The call ended late in the evening, and Jim decided to shower and order room service. He stood under the large showerhead as the soothing hot water cascaded down his back, relaxing his tense and aching muscles and washing his worries temporarily down the drain. He vowed to himself that he would be back at the hospital first thing in the morning. His mind whirred with the events of the past two days, and he clambered to make sense of the knowledge that someone had tried to kill his ex-wife. Nothing made sense. After he had half eaten his dinner, he gave in to the need for sleep.

  Chapter 28

  May 2012

  Jim arrived at the hospital at eight the following morning but wasn’t allowed to go straight in to see Flick. She was being taken off the ventilator, and the next couple of hours were crucial, he was informed. He paced around the family room with a pounding heart, chewing on his nails, awaiting news.

  Eventually running out of nervous energy, he slumped into a chair and clasped his hands together. “God…I know that I’ve never been a church person…and I know I’ve never really prayed before…and…and I know I swear…rather a lot…probably too much…but…if you are watching over my Flick…please, please bring her through this. Please. I can’t be without her again. I just can’t…please. I’ll try harder…I promise. I’ll do everything in my power to make her so very happy.” He rubbed his hands over his face and continued to wait for news.

  At eleven o’clock the door opened and Doctor Guzman walked in. He held out his hand. “Good to see you again, Jim. I hope you managed to get some sleep.”

  “I think my body just gave up, to be honest. I fought it though.” Jim’s voice was weak as he spoke.

  “Well, I’m pleased to be able to let you know that we’ve removed the ventilator, and Felicity is managing to breathe unaided.”

  The news winded Jim, and although relieved, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands as tears of relief welled in his eyes. “Thank you, God,” he breathed.

  “We also have the test results. As you’re here as her next of kin and we’ve been given permission by her mother to discuss her condition with you, we’re able to share those results with you. Is that okay?” the doctor asked, placing a hand on Jim’s shoulder.

  When Jim nodded the doctor sat in a chair opposite.

  “Okay, now, it’s not great news but it’s not as bad as it could have been,” the doctor began. “Felicity has suffered slight liver damage, but the liver is probably one of the most robust organs with the ability to repair itself to a certain degree, and so we are hopeful that this won’t be permanent…although there are sadly no guarantees. Her kidneys are functioning normally. Heart is good and strong. The only thing is…” The doctor paused.

  Jim lifted his head. “The only thing is what?” Dread washed over him and he feared the worst.

  “Well, at this stage it’s hard to say if there is any brain damage caused by what was to all intents and purposes an overdose of a mind altering drug. We’ve done all the tests we can while she is unconscious, but…well we won’t know the full extent of any damage until she is fully conscious. We have to be prepared for what may happen if and when she wakes up, Jim.”

  “If and when? Well which is it?” Jim could hear the desperation as it vibrated through his own voice. He sat upright and faced the dark haired, olive skinned man opposite him.

  “We…don’t know at the moment. We just need to wait for her body to repair and for her to gain consciousness. We are hopeful, Jim. But please try and understand that we can’t say for sure at this stage of her recovery.”

  This was not welcome news. Penny was arriving tomorrow and hearing this would almost kill her. But all they could do was wait. Jim was allowed to Felicity’s bedside once again. He sat in the same place as the day before. Seeing her now, without the ventilator tube was strange. She was still pale, and her eyes still had that same purple hue. But she was breathing.

  He squeezed her hand and stroked his thumb over her knuckles. “Felicity, it’s Jim. I’m here again. No getting rid of me, eh?” He leaned and kissed her hand. There was bruising visible where an intravenous line had been removed. He hadn’t noticed it yesterday. But then again, she had been surrounded by all sorts of machines yesterday. “I…I…spoke to your mum again. She’s on her way. I’ll bring her to see you tomorrow.” He was desperate for a response but none came.

  “Flick, come on. Wake up, eh? Show them what you’re made of… You can fight this thing. I know you can. And…I miss you…so, so much.” Emotions constricted his throat and words came out as a strangled whisper. “I’ve missed you ever since you left Scotland. In fact, I’ve missed you ever since you left me three years ago, Flick. I want to see you smile again. You have the best smile… The first time I saw it I think my insides melted… You certainly made your mark on me.”

  Norah came in and checked Flick’s vitals. “How are you today, Jim? Did you sleep?” she asked whilst she filled in numbers on the chart again.

  “I did, thanks. I’m okay… I’ll be better when Flick wakes up.” He didn’t shift his gaze from his sleeping beauty.

  “Well, we’re all hoping for the same thing, Jim. Just hang in there, honey.” The older lady smiled kindly and then left the room.

  ~~~~~

  After a restless night, filled with dreams of Felicity, Jim met Penny at JFK the following morning. She hugged him so tight he felt like he was going to pass out. They made their way to the hospital by cab as soon as they had dropped Penny’s bags at the hotel and she had freshened up. She squeezed Jim’s hand throughout the whole cab journey. Jim was still astounded by the change in their relationship.

  On arrival at the hospital, Jim opened Felicity’s room door and Penny stepped inside. She gasped and rushed to her daughter’s bedside. “Oh, no…no, no, no.” She turned to Jim with a pained expression, and he hugged her to him as she sobbed, her hands covering her mouth. He let her cry until her tears subsided, and then he pulled a chair next to the bed and helped her to sit. Her legs had apparently weakened through the shock of seeing her only child lying unconscious.

  Once she was calmer and he felt better about leaving, he touched Penny’s shoulder. “Look, Penny, I’ll leave you to have some time alone with her, okay? There must be things you want to say.”

  She looked up at him with puffy, sad eyes. “Say? But…she’s not awake, Jim.”

  “No, but the nurse said she may be able to hear you… Go ahead…I’ll leave you to it.” He smiled reassur
ingly and left the room. He walked to the family room and pushed the door open. Thankfully, it was vacant. He pulled out his phone and called Euan.

  He answered the call after one ring. “Hey, bro, how’s it going? Is everything okay?”

  “Hi…it’s not great. Flick’s off the ventilator and breathing by herself. She looks so different though. She’s pale…kind of grey. There’s been no response from her. They say there could be brain damage, Euan.”

  He was silent for a moment at the other end of the line. “Aw hell, Jim, I don’t know what to say bro. That’s not good, eh? How soon will they know more?”

  “When she wakes, I guess. It’s all a waiting game. Penny’s here now, so at least I’m not alone. We can support each other.”

  “Bless the poor woman. She must be devastated.”

  “Aye. She’s a bit of a wreck…pretty much like me.”

  “Well, keep your chin up, eh? Stay positive. And make sure you both eat and rest. Don’t worry about shit here. Jasper is great, and I’m a big hit with the local ladies so the business is doing fine.”

  Jim snorted. “Euan, the average age of the ladies around there is sixty-five, so I’d be careful about bragging there, mate.” He couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.

  Euan chuckled down the line. “Look after yourself. Love you, bro.”

  “Aye, love you too you ugly swine.” Jim hung up.

  ~~~~~

  The next two weeks followed the same routine. Hospital, eat, shower, sleep, etc. Friday of the second week came around, and Penny was feeling unwell. She stayed in her room to get some rest, and Jim went to the hospital alone. He walked into Flick’s room to find Norah going about her hourly checks.