At Last – Part 11
Last Time:
About a half an hour later, Bo makes his way to Nora’s room. He stands in the doorway and just stares at her for a few minutes and then walks to her bedside. He brushes her hair away from her forehead and gives it a quick kiss. He sits down next to her bed and takes her hand in his and holds it tight. He brings her fingers to his lips and kisses each of them.
BO: I love you Red. Just figured I would get that out of the way right away. How many times have the two of us done this hospital vigil? Either you or me in the bed and the other one sitting in a chair. Too many times to count I think. We’ve been through it all together haven’t we? (pausing) The doctor says that you’re going to be okay but you have to wake up first. Can you do that for me? Can you open those beautiful eyes for me? Did I tell you that I love you? (sitting quietly for a little bit, playing with her fingers) You know…if you don’t wake up your mom and dad are going to kill me. And don’t even get me started on what Rachel will do to me. I’ll never hear the end of it. I love you you know. I talked to Matt before I came out here. He loves you and he misses you. If you don’t wake up for anybody else will you wake up for him? Come on Red…a lot of people need you in their lives. We won’t be the same without you. I won’t be the same without you. I let you get away once but I won’t let that happen again. I love you.
NORA (slowly opening her eyes) Bo…?
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BO (smiling): There’s my girl. Open those beautiful eyes for me.
Nora slowly opens her eyes and tries to figure out where she is.
NORA (hoarsely): Where am I?
BO (kissing her on the forehead): Shhhh don’t try and talk. You’re in the hospital. You’re going to be fine.
NORA: Oh my god…Sam.
BO: Shhhh I said don’t talk. I’m going to get the doctor and have him check you out quick. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.
Bo gets the doctor who does a thorough examination of Nora. While the doctor is examining Nora, Bo gives Selma a quick call to let her know everything that was going on…both with Nora and with Sam. Selma was not sad that Sam was dead….especially after Bo told him everything that he had done. Bo heads back into the room to get a full report from the doctor. Just seeing Nora awake puts a smile on his face. He walks to her bedside and takes her hand again. Nora looks at him and smiles softly.
BO: So how is she?
DR: Better than I expected. Nora may have trouble breathing for a day or two so we’ll keep her on the oxygen. She’ll also be a little hoarse so I want the conversation kept to a minimum. The swelling on her head seems to be going down nicely. On the whole I would say that she is one lucky lady.
BO: When can I take her home?
DR: I’d like to keep her here for a couple of days just to make sure. Does she have a doctor at home that she trusts?
BO: Yea…Dr. Larry Woleck. He’s treated Nora for years.
DR: I know Larry. He’s a fine physician. I’ll make sure that I call him once we release Nora so he’ll know what to expect. The most important thing is that Nora gets some rest. I don’t want you keeping her awake too much longer.
BO: I won’t doctor.
The doctor leaves and Bo sits down on the chair next to Nora’s bed…never letting go of her hand. He plays with her fingers for a while.
BO: Why don’t you try and get some sleep?
NORA (whispering): What about Sam?
BO: We don’t have to talk about Sam right now.
NORA: Bo….
BO: Shhhh I’ll tell you everything in the morning. Just know that you’re safe and nothing is going to happen to you. I’m going to stay right here in this chair.
NORA (smiling softly): Promise?
BO: I promise. I’m not leaving. Now close your eyes and go to sleep.
NORA (closing her eyes): Okay.
The next morning, Nora woke first. She smiled at the sight of Bo asleep in the chair. He was holding his head on his fist with his elbow resting on the edge of the chair. She knew that he was going to be sore when he woke up. Bo opened his eyes slowly when he felt her watching him. His smile matched hers. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.
BO: Hi.
NORA (whispering): Hi.
BO: How you feeling?
NORA: My throat’s sore and I have a headache but I’m alive. Thanks to you.
BO: Yep…you’re alive and we’ll have you home in no time. I called your mom last night and let her know what’s going on. Matt is staying with Vicki and Ben so you don’t have to worry about him. I’m sure he’s being spoiled rotten.
NORA: What about Sam?
BO (quietly): Sam was killed last night. He sped out of the parking lot after he set fire to the warehouse. The cops followed him in a high-speed pursuit and he drove himself off a cliff. I’m sorry.
NORA: I’m not. He deserved to die. Matthew will miss him but I won’t. He was the one that hired Jack Tucker to kill me.
BO: What?
NORA: Can you believe that? He told me that if he couldn’t have me, then no one could.
BO: I don’t know what to say. I guess I’m just glad that you don’t have to worry about him any more.
NORA: Me too. You think I can call momma?
BO (smiling): The doctor will probably kill me but I know she would love to hear your voice.
Bo dials the phone.
BO: Selma, it’s Bo.
SELMA: Bo…how is she? Is she okay?
BO: Why don’t I let you talk to her yourself? But only for a few minutes. The doctor will not be happy with the fact that she is talking at all.
Bo hands the phone to Nora.
NORA: Hi momma.
SELMA (crying): Oh baby…how are you?
NORA (crying too): I’m fine momma. A little sore but otherwise fine. Bo got to me in time.
SELMA: I’d have never forgiven him if he didn’t.
NORA (smiling at Bo): I think he knew that.
SELMA: I don’t want to keep you on the phone because I’m sure your voice needs to rest. I’m glad you called. Your father will be so relieved.
NORA: I love you momma.
SELMA: I love you too Nora. Now give the phone back to Bo.
Nora hands the phone to Bo.
SELMA: Thank you.
BO (smiling): It was my pleasure. The doctor is probably going to release Nora tomorrow so I’ll call you as soon as we get back to Llanview.
SELMA: Take good care of her for us.
BO: You don’t have to worry about that. She’s in good hands.
Bo hangs up the phone.
NORA: How am I going to tell Matt about Sam?
BO: I don’t know but we can do that together. I don’t want to have you worrying about that right now. We’ll get through it. And Matt will get through it. He will be surrounded by people that love him. (pausing) You look tired. You want to take a nap?
NORA: Maybe a little one. You’ll stay?
BO: You ain’t getting rid of me that easily. Go to sleep. I’ll be right here.
A couple of days later Nora is released from the hospital after she promises to visit Larry in a week for a thorough check up. Nora and Bo are greeted at Nora’s house by an ecstatic Matthew and a relieved Hank. While Matt “helps” Nora unpack, Bo and Hank sit in the living room and talk.
HANK: How is she…really?
BO: Physically she’s getting better. The burns she has will heal without any complications. She’s still feeling the affects of the smoke inhalation but that getting better too.
HANK: What about emotionally?
BO: I don’t know. She’s been pretty quiet. We’ve talked a little bit about Sam and what he did to her but I think she needs some professional help to get over that.
HANK: But you’ve been there for her haven’t you?
BO (smiling): Yes…I’ve been there but we really haven’t talked about “us” either.
HANK: Why not? This is what you want… right?
BO: I want this more than anything. But she needs some time to get over all of this. I don’t want to rush things. Right now I think she needs friendship more than romance.
HANK: Friendship huh? You might be right but don’t wait too long to let her know how you feel.
BO: I won’t.
Matthew comes barreling down the stairs and jumps in Bo’s lap. Nora follows him down the stairs.
BO: Did you help your mom get unpacked?
MATT: Yep. I’m a good helper. Aren’t I mommy?
NORA: The best helper ever.
HANK: I’m going to leave you guys alone. (he kisses Nora on the cheek) I’m glad you’re home and that you’re all right. (to Bo) remember what I said.
BO (smiling): I will.
Nora walks Hank to the door and then comes and sits on the couch with Bo and Matt.
MATT: Mommy…when’s daddy coming home?
To be continued……
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