Chapter 306: It's Good to Be Alive

The next day, I try to convince Jarrod to go to work but he pointedly refuses.

I feel awful though. He's just opened a brand new restaurant with his friend and business partner, Jack. It's not fair that Jack will have to pick up the slack but it's also not fair that Jarrod will miss out on the new restaurant fun.

But no matter how much I try to convince him, he tells me he will not leave my side.

I love him but he's a muppet. He looks dead on his feet. His eyelids are stained with blue. He's exhausted.

Aurora joins us about midday, and I try again to get him to leave, even if just so he can go have a shower and a nap.

"Jarrod, I love you but I'm going to need you to be alive when I get out of here."

He laughs outright at my words.

"Go home. Have a shower. Have a sleep."

I can see him mentally fighting with me but I'm having none of it.

"I need you here," I say softly, "but I sort of need you germ free. Open wound on my head... exposed brain..."