"Of course I'd help, what do you need?" She leaned on the counter, "Can you have someone tow my car into town, maybe to the hospital parking lot?" "Oh, right it must still be on the side of the road. I know a local tow company that can help." She was happy to help him, "Can you also buy me a cheap cell phone, I'll pay you back." Avary nodded to herself. "Right, I'll drop by around noon." Jackson smiled, handing back the phone to Libby. "You know, you could just make a call from our phone." Libby gave him a questioning look, "I know," he replied making Libby smirk.
"An excuse to have Miss Marsh come all the way down here," Libby walked to the door and paused "Just because you want to see her.. Puppy love." Jackson watched the old nurse leave, 'I can't call "work" from a hospital phone..' he thought to himself. However he hadn't been able to stop thinking about the girl, even feeling excited thinking about her arrival. Maybe the old lady was onto something, the call could wait.. He didn't need to be in a hurry..
Avary called up the local tow shop letting them know about the car, they would send a truck to tow it in. Locking up, she put up a "Closed for lunch" sign before heading into town to the store. Picking up a cheap cell phone and a card for data. She had never owned one, after all Grandpa didn't like technology. The land line at the station was the only way to call. She paused at the clothing section thinking about how Jackson's clothes were covered in blood. She bought a large long sleeve maroon shirt, a pair of medium black sweatpants and some wool socks. Recalling it always being cold in the hospital, she also bought him a warm fuzzy blanket.
Arriving at the hospital, she got eyed by Libby and some of the other nurses. "Mister Jones has been moved to room four," Liddy called out causing Avary to pause, confused. "Mister Jones?" "Jackson Jones, room four love.. He has been waiting for you." There was something in the way Libby spoke that made Avary feel her face flush a little. He must have made up a last name not wanting them to pester him about why he didn't have one. "Right, thank you." She headed down the hall pausing before entering, wondering if this was a bit much.. looking down at the bags.
"Those for me?" She jumped a little hearing Jackson's voice call out to her, she sheepishly looked up. He stood in the door looking at her, "You are out of bed," she was surprised "The cat only got my arm, the rest of me still works." Avary felt her face growing warmer, she was embarrassed. "Here.. some clothes.. a blanket.. and the phone you requested with a data card." She held up the bags. Jackson was amused seeing her looking so shy, her face definitely gave away that he had embarrassed her.
He looked at the bags, curious why she bought him so much.. He was grateful for the clothes since the hospital gown was drafty.. "Thank you Avary, I'll take the clothes first.." she handed him the bag, "One moment." he closed the door managing to slip on the sweat pants and sweat shirt on. They managed to fit his slim frame, but he couldn't manage to slip on the socks one handed. He gave up and opened the door, Avary stood outside staring at the ceiling.
"You may come in now," he was grateful not expecting the extra items, "How do they fit?" Avary questioned hoping they were not too small. "They fit nicely, thank you." She noticed the socks on the hospital bed, "Here let me help with those." "It's fine, I don't really need them." Jackson said taking a seat on the bed, Avary ignored him picking them up. "My Grandfather said walking around in the hospital socks was really uncomfortable. They seemed to absorb the cold rather than keep his feet warm." Avary knelt on the floor, sock in hand, looking at Jackson. He relented, picking up his foot, allowing her to aid him.
Avary didn't want him to feel uncomfortable stuck in such a cold place, "I really am indebted to you, and seems like the more time we spend together the deeper in debt I become." Jackson starred down at her gently slipping the wool socks onto her feet. He didn't know how to describe how he was feeling, he liked this.. He jumped out of bed the moment he heard her talking down the hall. 'She has no sense of how dangerous I am.. A wolf in sheep's clothing.. being babied by a lamb.' Avary finished putting the second sock on standing.
His gaze still on her, "There. You shouldn't have trouble staying warm" she handed him the phone and card, setting the blanket at the end of the bed. Jackson's gaze moved to the t.v playing local news. "A body was found in Leery lake by local teenagers. Investigation still ongoing to determine cause of death and the identity of the individual found." He had hoped the body wouldn't be found until spring, thinking no one would be swimming in such cold temperatures. Avary looked over, noticing his attention drawn to the news.
"I should get going back to the station, Easy tow should be by later to drop off your car." Avary headed out, Liddy and the other nurses hushing themselves as Avary walked past. Avary sat in her truck, her head resting on the steering wheels so embarrassed. "What am I thinking…?" She muttered to herself, 'He is just passing through..' heading back out of town she passed the exit to the lake. 'Maybe a tourist drowned, no one listens to the locals..' Avary thought to herself driving back to the station.
Avary focused on checking expiration dates on the items in the store, ringing up people that drove through. Night fell, locking up the shop and she headed to the door that separated the shop and store. Opening the door it led into a small living room that led into a kitchen. She turned on the radio listening to music while making some chicken and rice. The house felt empty still, but her mind was elsewhere. She was dying of embarrassment thinking about how she treated Jackson.
The morning Avary woke to her alarm, she got ready for another day. Pausing, looking to the kitchen, thinking about how Morris would be up already calling her lazy. He'd always reset her alarm letting her sleep in later.. but tease her about being lazy while cooking her favorite breakfast. Over easy eggs on toast paired with fruit. "Good morning Grandpa, time to open the station." She said making a cup of coffee and heading to the front.