Jake watched his wife with tears in his eyes as she slept peacefully. His eyes scanned the hospital bedroom, trying in vain to block out the thoughts of a month ago but the white painted walls, the clinical atmosphere and the ever present aroma of disinfectant could not hold his attention for long and he was drawn back to the sleeping figure of Ann, the IV drip still attached to her arm. She was still so attractive, even after the accident. The accident. The images of that night would still not leave his mind. It had been a lovely romantic night. A candle lit dinner followed by a club and dancing and a moonlit drive home along the coast road. "Who could have foreseen that truck pulling out in front of them?" he thought for the hundredth time. He remembered little else of that night until he awoke in this hospital. The medical staff informed him that he had been extremely lucky; a fractured arm and cuts and bruises, but Ann had been far less fortunate. Apparently their car had overturned leaving her trapped and despite the medics valiant efforts, they had been unable to save either of her arms. For the last four weeks Ann had laid in this very room, recovering from her operation and Jake had been by her bedside every moment that he could.
Jake was broken from his reverie as Ann began to stir and open her eyes.
"Hello darling. How are you feeling today?"
"Mmmmm....OK I guess" she said sleepily. "A little thirsty, maybe"
Jake immediately brought the beaker and straw to his wife's lips so that she could drink.
"Thanks hon" she said as she swallowed some of the cool water "that feels better"
Almost immediately Ann began to cry. This had been happening a lot over the last few weeks. As soon as she remembered that simple tasks such as drinking a glass of water could not be completed without help, her feelings welled up inside her and she broke down.
Jake quickly moved to comfort his wife. He took her head in his arms and cradled her flowing blonde hair against his chest. As he stroked her hair and face he whispered words of encouragement and comfort. He loved her so much, perhaps even more now than when they married twelve years ago, and he kissed her forehead and kissed away her tears. After a few minutes of his love and comfort, Ann's sobs subsided and her breathing became more controlled.
She tilted her head and look up lovingly into her husband's eyes as she spoke.
"You know Jake, a glass of water can only satisfy part of my thirst." she continued with more tears welling up in her eyes. "B..b...but how can you still find me attractive like this? You must be revolted by the sight of me."
The tears started to flow again as Jake resumed his comforting.
"Oh god honey, no!" he whispered "I love you so much....you are still the most beautiful woman in the world. You are my world, you're beautiful, radiant, stunning and sexy."
"Sexy?"
Jake looked into her eyes. There was something there...something that he hadn't seen since the awful accident....a spark... a hunger! He smiled at her.