The visions before his eyes were fuzzy. The first one to come into focus was sweet, beautiful Iris. She sat near the bed, his hand clutched in hers tenderly. “You’re awake!” She cried with tear filled eyes.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” James shuddered in pain as he tried to sit up in bed. “That was not a good idea.” He leaned back against the bed, and relaxed his muscles. “The doctor said you might be in some pain.”
“What happened last night anyway? I can’t remember a thing.” He asked in bewilderment. “James. . .you were shot.” She cried. “You’d think I would remember something like that.” James said. “So, then you don’t know who did this to you?”
“I wish I could say I do, but unfortunately it is all a blur.” He shrugged. “I was hoping you would remember something. Jonathan is determined to catch the person who did this.”
“Determined huh? I didn’t know he was clairvoyant.” James remarked sarcastically. “Maybe it will come back to you once you’ve recuperated.” Iris said. “I wouldn’t count on it, Iris.” James stroked her hand. Iris was quiet. She stood up and kissed him on the forehead. “Don’t worry, Jimmy. I won’t ask you to have children again.” James looked at his wife as if she were afflicted.
“Are you feeling okay? I thought I was the one who got shot?” She replied. “You risk your life every day and all I do is whine about having a baby.”
“Well, you are my wife. Complain all you want. Be the biggest nag you can be.” James said. “I don’t want to nag you, Jimmy. One day you may not be here to have a baby with.” James pulled Iris onto the bed, wrapping his arms around her. “Don’t talk that way. I am here aren’t I?” James leaned in to kiss her, but before their lips met, Kroy entered the bedroom.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.” Iris slipped from his embrace. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve interrupted before.” He smiled. “Shouldn’t you be recovering?” Kroy asked. He looked at James and then at Iris. Jonathan was quite anxious. “Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?” James asked.
“If it isn’t too much trouble.” Kroy replied, glancing subtly at Iris.
“I think I will go and help Alfred with lunch.” Iris excused herself from the room. “First I am shot, now Iris wants to poison me with her cooking.” He sighed. Kroy came over and sat down beside James. “Who did this to you?”
“Why is everyone interrogating me? First Iris now you!” He
scowled. “James, someone shot you! Luckily the wound wasn’t anywhere near your heart!” Kroy said. “Get to the point, Jon!”
“What if you would have died? If anything happened to you Iris would be left on her own!” James said. “Why are you lecturing me? Someone stole my wife’s pocketbook right in front of me! What was I supposed to do, let him take it?”
“You could have! What would it have mattered? She could always get a new pocketbook, but not another husband!”