#FlashFictionMagic: The Scent of ____ Brings Me Back

 

The scent of disinfectant brought Maeve back to those early days of visiting Jonah during his recovery. Those first dates at his bedside were cherished memories, and she hated that Declan had tainted them with his treachery. Jonah would never trust her again.

Standing from her chair in the family waiting room, she winced at how much her chest hurt from sobbing. She ought to go home. Jonah had never been to her house, so there were no memories of him there. She collected her jacket and purse, ensured her visitor sticker was still visible on her blouse, and exited the room.

The figure hobbling up the hallway didn’t register right away. She interpreted the man with the cane as just one more piece of hospital ambience. She nearly passed him by before he said her name. She gasped as she realized the scruffy beard and uneven gait belonged to Jonah.

“You’re walking,” she said.

“Slowly but surely,” he agreed. “Declan woke up.”

“Good for him,” Maeve murmured.

“Did you want to see him?”

Maeve shook her head. There was a long pause as she stared down at her feet, unable to face the man she had hurt in so many ways with her stupidity.

Jonah moved in a little closer, and she felt his fingers press against her wrist. “Did you want to see me?”

Slowly, Maeve lifted her gaze to meet his. There were bags beneath his eyes, and he needed a haircut and possibly a shave. His eyes were warm with a kindness she didn’t deserve. She put a hand on his scratchy cheek. “I always want to see you.”

Jonah’s whole face brightened with the return of his smile. Maeve felt her own frown dissipate for the first time in weeks.

“I’d love to see you outside the hospital,” Jonah clasped their hands together with a squeeze. “Preferably right now.” Then, he echoed a moment from their very first date. “Okay?”

Maeve tried to speak, but words failed. Nodding furiously, she threw her arms around Jonah and held him close.

When moments later they passed Declan’s room, Jonah nodded to Nate, and then hand in hand, he and Maeve stepped into the elevator and left Declan Rourke behind.