Page 19 of The Best of Friends

“Right.” Katie’s smile was easy, but Jayne caught her interested study of Rebecca’s fabulously cut and colored hair, of her amazing designer jeans, Italian sandals, and a silk sweater that probably cost as much as a used car.

“Jayne’s told me about you,” Katie continued, walking into the kitchen and setting down the bags. “All great stuff. It’s really nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Rebecca said, but sounded doubtful. “You’re a nurse, too?”

“Uh-huh.”

Katie returned to Jayne’s side and touched her forehead, as if checking for a fever, then placed Jayne’s uninjured wrist in her hand and took her pulse.

“I’m fine,” Jayne muttered.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Katie told her. “Did you sleep?”

“I tried.”

“Tonight will be better. I brought you food. Plenty of crackers and soup, a couple of premade sandwiches. You’ve got to keep food in your stomach if you want to keep down your painkillers.”

“I know.”

“Ginger cookies. They help the tummy. Popsicles.” Katie smiled at Rebecca again. “We do digital imaging at the center, but we also work with cancer patients. Trust me, no one knows better than a chemo patient how to keep food down.”

Rebecca looked both uncomfortable and nauseous. “Good to know,” she said weakly. “So you’re going to stay with Jayne?”

“For a couple of hours.”

“I see. Then I should go. Let you two…” She waved vaguely. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Are you okay?” Jayne asked.

Rebecca nodded, but she looked oddly lost. Jayne wanted to reassure her but didn’t know what to say. Did Rebecca think she was Jayne’s only friend? That while she was out of the country, living large in Italy, Jayne sat home alone, waiting desperately for her return?

Obviously yes, Jayne thought, too tired and sore to deal with the problem right now. Later, she thought, as Rebecca left.

The front door closed. Katie went into the kitchen and started putting away groceries.

“Wow,” she called. “Impressive. She’s even more beautiful than I imagined. And her clothes.”

“Tell me about it.”

Katie returned to the living room with a handful of crackers and a bottle of water. “I’ve never felt more ordinary in my life. It doesn’t make you crazy?”

“I’ve been friends with her for years. I’m used to walking in her shadow.”

Katie passed over the crackers and water. “Pain pills?”

Jayne pointed to her purse.

Katie got out the prescription bottle, checked the label, then shook one into her hand. Jayne took it.

“Hewas gorgeous,” she said, just as Jayne was about to swallow.

Fortunately, Jayne managed to avoid choking. She gulped water, then nibbled on a cracker.

“David?” She hoped she sounded less interested than she felt.

“No. The male nurse on the third floor.” Katie sat in the chair next to the sofa. “Yes, David. He gets a ‘wow,’ too. Pretty family.”

“Yes, they are.”