A gentler flash
Leaves fell outside the window of the hospital room on a late October day. Jim stared out that window as daylight disappeared and nighttime took over. He stayed out of the way as nurses fussed over his mother.
When they departed, he turned from the window and smiled.
She fluffed her blankets. “You don’t have to stay here, you know. They’ll be bringing my dinner in soon.” She made a face.
Jim laughed as he approached the bed. “What are they bringing?”
“Supposed to be Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes but given the trout they served me last night, which was not trout by the way, I don’t know what it was, I don’t have high hopes.”
Jim pulled a chair closer. “What did the doctor say?”
“I have to stay three more days.”
“So you get out in three days? That’s good.”
His mom snorted. “That’s the way to put a positive spin on it.”
“I believe in positivity.”
She smiled and reached for his hand. “You didn’t always.”
Jim acknowledged that with a nod.
“Anyway, I’ll have a list of things I can and cannot do and medications to take and all that.”
“You did have heart surgery,” he reminded her gently. “I’m glad you’re here to get those lists.”
“Me too. But you really don’t have to stay. I’m sure you have other things to do.”
“I’ll stay through your dinner.”
As if on cue, the food services person appeared in the doorway, wheeling the cart, followed by one of his mother’s nurses.
“Can I get you anything, honey?” the nurse asked Jim. “You’re entitled to a dinner of you want one.”
“Thank you, no.”
“Okay.”
They both watched as the food services person put the tray in front of his mother. Jim peered at the Salisbury steak.
“Looks vaguely gray, that gravy.”
His mother sniffed.
The food services person looked vaguely affronted but departed with her cart.
“That’s one of our most popular meals,” the nurse insisted.
Jim smiled. “I’m sure.”
“Coffee? Tea? A date with my single daughter?’
His mother laughed. “He’s very much taken, Lois.”
“Hmm. Didn’t see a ring.”
“His Vulcan husband didn’t feel rings were required,” Spock said from the doorway.
Jim chuckled. “And that’s him, there. And I didn’t feel the need either.” He tapped his forehead. “He’s branded me his…here.”
Lois rolled her eyes. “I’ll never understand the younger generation.”
She slid past Spock to leave the room and Spock came over to his mother’s hospital bed.
“Here to collect him,” she said. “Believe me, he’s ready. He’s been hovering.”
“I have not,” Jim protested.
“We can stay as long as Jim wishes. How are you feeling?”
“Like I want to get out of her yesterday,” she admitted. “But seriously, take him home. I’m going to eat this slop, watch some things on that screen up there, and go to sleep. See you tomorrow, honey?”
Jim leaned over and kissed her. “Of course you will.”
They passed Jack O Lanterns and fake skeletons decorating the nurse’s areas and the lobby as they exited the hospital to Spock’s waiting hover car.
Jim sighed and closed his eyes once he got into the passenger seat.
“You are exhausted, T’hy’la.”
“Mm. Long day. Meetings at HQ, then coming here. All I want is some Plomeek soup, a massage and to laze in bed with you.”
Spock’s lips quirked. “Fortunately, I can make all of that come true.”
Jim grinned. “Let’s go home.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 