Jacob was arguing with my doctor? What kind of doctor was this? Surely there had to be more doctors in this hospital, people not under the control of the Commission.
“Hello, Brother Daniel?” Dr. Newton’s greeting came out more like a question. “Yes, I realize he is . . . Yes, I understand that the Assembly is a governing party and as a member his word is true. I wanted to be . . . Right away. Good-bye.” There was a pause, then Dr. Newton continued, “Brother Jacob, I’ll have Sister Deborah bring in food.”
Jacob exhaled.
The doctor’s tone became commanding as he moved closer to my bed. “You should wake her and take her to the bathroom. She’s no longer catheterized and can’t get out of the bed alone. That cast isn’t for walking.” There was a tug on my IV. “She’ll have one that she can walk on once I receive approval. I’ll return after she’s eaten. It’s past time for my exam.”
“Thank you.” Though the thunder was gone from Jacob’s voice, the storm was still present. “You should understand my insistence. I’m not losing her to starvation, not after all she’s been through.”
“I do, but you know that we all have rules. My oath is to help people, but I too have a family. Following decrees isn’t optional. We all know that.”
“Yes, we do,” Jacob said defiantly. “That won’t happen this time. I won’t allow it.”
The doctor’s words brought my reality back with a vengeance. I was at the mercy of these people, people I couldn’t see or remember. People with frightening tones, rules, and decrees. I clenched my teeth and searched my memories for anything. Anything to confirm that I belonged here, or anything to confirm that I didn’t.
Jacob approached, brushing my hair away from my forehead, and spoke. “I’m sure you’re awake. I don’t think even you could sleep through that.”
Even me? What does he mean?
I nodded. As his large hand lingered on my hair, I remembered part of my dream and wondered if my hair was blonde.
“Sara, the nurse will bring you some food. Dr. Newton wants me to help you get up before she comes.”
I reached up to my eyes. Though I felt the dampness of my hair, the bandages were dry.
“Sister Raquel replaced your bandages.” His fingers raked my hair. “But she couldn’t brush or braid your hair with you asleep.”
A lump formed in my chest. She’d changed my bandages and I’d missed it.
“I’m going to lift you from the bed.”
The blankets moved and cool air permeated my warm haven, but before the chill registered, Jacob’s arms cradled my back and legs. I winced as he lifted me. Pain emanated from my side. Sucking in a breath, I braced for him to set me in the wheelchair, but he didn’t. Instead he held me close and stepped effortlessly away from the bed. Reaching toward him, my hands spanned the breadth of his shoulders and came to rest upon his chest. Laying my cheek against his soft shirt, I inhaled the scent of leather and musk. With each step his scruffy chin brushed the top of my head. For only a second, something triggered a memory, but just as quickly it was gone.
We had apparently crossed the room, since Jacob said, “We’re in the bathroom. Raquel said you did well this morning, though I’m not sure how much of this you can do on your own.”
I reached up and pointed, hoping he’d see the handle that I’d used earlier. He must have, because he gently placed my good foot on the floor and directed my hand to the handle. At the thought of what I needed to do, blood rushed to my cheeks. I quickly lowered my chin, not wanting Jacob to sense my embarrassment. After all, he didn’t know that to me he was a stranger. To him we were married. He’d no doubt seen me naked many times.
His large hands framed my cheeks and lifted my face toward his. Though I couldn’t see him, we were very close. His warm breath tickled my nose, and his words were soft and reassuring. “I’d leave you alone for privacy, but the way you’re shaking, I’m afraid you might fall.”
I blindly lifted my face toward the handle. The apparatuses that held it in place clinked with my movements. I hadn’t realized how badly my hands and legs were trembling.
“Let me help you,” he offered as he released my face.