Jonah felt the exhaustion settle into his bones and make itself comfortable when he finally left the hospital that evening. It was a good kind of exhaustion though. Despite the gloominess and the sense of dread that was lurking around all their heads, he was content, happy that he got to spend some quality time with his best friend. He would have stayed there all night watching and salivating over Chopped episodes with Mira if the nurses hadn't kicked him out, claiming that visitor hours were over and he was disturbing her. With only mild irritation, he had conceded--fairly quickly, he might add--and had been on his way, saying his goodbyes and I love yous to the bed-ridden mermaid. He didn't want to tire her out anymore than she had to be.Â
It was a surprisingly clear day out and the weather chose to be kind so he had forgone his car when he came to visit Mira. Making the trek back to the apartment building on foot, especially when he was tired, had him regretting the decision, if only because he knew he would be late to the candle lighting ceremony that was supposed to be held soon.
Jonah's steps were slow and lethargic, an easy smile settling onto his face as a breeze rustled his hair. The tight coil in the pit of his stomach that had been there since Mira had first started getting sick had all but disappeared for the first time. Things were... grim but he was accepting that. He was doing the best he could to make her happy and in turn, it was settling something within himself. Now, all he wanted was to pay respects to his son, and his fallen friends, and sleep. Something told him that for once, he would manage to rest easy.Â
The bubbling laughter of a group of children broke his unfocused gaze from the darkening horizon. Looking down, Jonah just barely managed to sidestep a couple of speeding blurs and again thanked his reflexes as he managed to snag the last one up at the last second after she tripped. Righting her with a terse smile, he patted her on the head, calling out to her brothers, "Oi! Slow down, ya monkeys!" Giving an understanding smile to their mother that came rushing up behind him, speedwalking but clearly looking far too tired to continue running after her three kids, he followed down the path behind them. His eyes stayed on the family for a while, mind wandering back to years before when it was his own child running around so joyfully.Â
His eyes had drifted back to an unfocused distance, his hands shoved in his pockets as he delved further and further back into his memories. The path he was walking was remembered solely through muscle memory from the days of his youth. When he had first moved into the apartments, when he had first started working for TBOHS, he'd still been young and foolish. The walk to the hospital was almost a weekly event as he nursed one broken or bruised bone or another. He had come a long way. Looking back on it... There was a lot he was allowed to let himself be proud of. He'd built a family. A career. Himself. And maybe he'd lost the majority of that now and maybe there was precarious edge that his life was teetering on--very aware of the looming future and burdens--but he had never felt as full and satisfied as he did in this very moment.Â
Once again, his attention was ripped away from the past. This time, it had his heart in his throat. Eyes widening when he heard the scream, Jonah started with a jolt and his gaze snapped to the mother from before, only a few feet away from him. She was staring out into the street in horror. In the second after that, time seemed to slow down incredibly. There was no time to think, to do speak, breathe, anything, other than react. One second he was staring at the little boy, crouched down in the street with the large truck barreling toward him and the next he was there, his feet having carried him inhumanly fast, and he was throwing the little boy back toward the sidewalk.Â
He didn't check to see if the boy was okay, didn't get a chance to look over his shoulder even before metal was slamming into his side, his body rolling over the truck like a rag doll, for a few seconds floating in mid air before it fell to the pavement with a sickening crack. It was seconds. It was instantaneous, immediate. And with a last blurry moment of consciousness, it all went black.Â
It was only a few seconds and he was gone.Â
His eyes didn't open again, there was no ringing in his ears but instead, just as quickly as the world had gone black, it came back in blinding technicolor. He was standing beside his own broken body, a screaming woman kneeling beside him while holding onto his children, a small crowd gathering... But it still didn't dawn on him.Â
He stood there, with no one hearing him, no one seeing him, watching as his body was carted off by the paramedics that had arrived... But it still didn't dawn on him.Â
When, finally, a small hand slipped into his and his gaze dropped down, confused and lost, to see the little boy--his little boy... He finally understood.Â
It was the end of one life. And maybe he hadn't been ready to let go, maybe he still had unfinished business, maybe he still had people to take care of... But now--now, he at least had his son. Now he could make sure there was someone for Mira to cross over to. Now he could rest peacefully, not just for the night but for the rest of eternity.Â
But right now... Right now he was dead. And he cried for the life he had just lost, kneeling down to wrap his arms around his son, seeking warmth and comfort that he hadn't really gotten in years.Â
This is exactly what Mira didn’t want. She didn’t want to be in the hospital. She wanted to spend her final days at home with her friends. She didn’t want to be hooked up to all this medication, but, she passed out and everyone just panicked. She made the best of it, while she could. She’d be sent home sometime tomorrow. Mira was in her hospital bed, when she heard the door open. She smiled greatly when she saw that it was Jonah. There’s no one else she’d rather be with, right now. She wanted her best friend. No, she needed him. “I’m doing fantastic, buttercup. I’m sorry you have to see me like this, though.”
Grinning, he set the plastic bag on the food tray and set the bag containing the DVDs he'd brought and his laptop on the spare chair. "I don't know what you're talking about," he scoffed, nudging her over, "You look just as beautiful as always. Now budge over. I brought you ice cream." Settling down beside her, he pulled the tray over to dig out a large carton of her favorite and two spoons. "Figure'd you'd wanna eat something while we watch a shit ton of Chopped." He stretched his legs out while simultaneously fluffing up her pillows and making sure not to jostle her too much.
They’re also excessively nice.  You can’t forget that. I’ve noticed that quality in a lot of people since I’ve moved here. They seem so indifferent to the world’s suffering. Don’t they have something better to do than wasting their breath me?Â
I don't know who you been talkin' to then, everyone around here acts like I'm some sort of asshole. I can't help it that I'm just highly aware of how much better I am than everybody else.Â
No. I’m going to pin it up on my refrigerator. I’ll make sure to make copies for those ladies, Jonah. Promise. They’ll be knocking on your door in no time. It’s a great picture. One of my favorites.Â
I get that, as far as I’m capable of understanding the concept of it. You’ll get them. Soon, you’ll get tired of me, and ignore every text, call, letter, picture, and email.Â
This obsession you have with me is teetering on the edge of crazy, Beth. Good think I'm so attractive so it's understandable.Â
Yup, but I'll try to enjoy it as much as I can before I decide to cut off all contact. [He hooked an arm around her neck, reeling her in to press a kiss against her hair.] Nah, I don't think I could ever get sick of you, kid.Â
I asked you to come. So, that’s not fair. At all. But, I’ll send you pictures and a daily update on my life. You don’t know how to pose? I think… You’re posing right now. [She takes the picture, raising her eyebrow at him.] This, I’m keeping forever.
Besides, Canada is near Washington. Getting Aaron back from there? It’ll be convenient. I’m leaving for him.
I know, I know. Seriously? You're ridiculous. Don't go around showing that picture to people... Unless they're pretty Canadian girls lookin' for a place to vacation.Â
I know why you have to go. 'M proud of you. But you know I can't leave, this place is my home. I do expect those daily reminders, though.Â
I always assume that everyone is stupid, but it’s usually that I don’t like what they’re saying. But yes, I definitely know what I’m talking about.Â
Who’re you calling punk, punk? No, really, Jonah. Make this picture good! I won’t be in Cape Town too long, and I want this picture with me. Please? So, you’ll always be around? For me?Â
Jonah made his way through the bustling hospital, a plastic bag swinging from his hand and his nose wrinkled against the smell of disinfectants. It had been a little while since he'd been back in a hospital, but it was still too familiar for his liking. Finding the room he had been searching for, he paused in front of the door, taking a moment to collect himself. Hospitals brought up bad memories for him but what was worse, still, was that Mira of all people was stuck here and he was helpless to do anything to help her. It made the back of his throat sting and his stomach coil in a pit of dread but the last thing he wanted was for her to be worried over him worrying for her. And he knew she would. So he forced the feelings down and plastered a smile on his face before pushing the door open with a knock. "Mira?" he called out, stepping into the brightly lit room and closing the door behind him. Ignoring everything that was hooked up to her, he made his way over to the bed and said softly, "Hey princess. How ya doin'?"Â
Naomi had been going to the bars around Cape Town most nights after work, just looking for something, or someone to do. Yeah, she was a little lonely, but there was nothing a round of free drinks and a one night stand couldn’t fix. That particular night she had been at the bar for about an hour at that point, and this guy had been chatting her up, buying her drinks. Naomi was used to the attention she got from men, but this guy was being pushy, hinting about taking her home. She had been laughing it off, but after about his third drink he was starting to creep her out. He kept touching her thigh, and her arm, each time Naomi pushed him away. “You need to stop that.” She told the man through gritted teeth as his hand tried to move up her leg, trying to get away from him.
Jonah was just walking into the bar, a little later than he was used to as he was stuck doing some damage control with ex-TBOHS employees. Huh, technically he was an ex-employee too. It was the first time he had thought of himself in that context and it was unsettling to say the least. He'd spent just about all of his adult life dedicated to his job and to have it be gone just like that... He needed a drink. A familiar face caught his eye as he made his way over to lean against the counter and it only took a few moments before his habitual frown crossed his face and he was wedging himself between Naomi and the creep leaning far too close to her. "I'm pretty sure I head her say stop," he said firmly, glowering at the man until he stepped back. Jonah glared at him until he walked away, rolling his eyes at the curses and insults thrown back toward him. Taking the vacated seat, he looked over at the girl beside him, "You alright?"
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