Mirrors

Jacob once again woke up in the cot the hospital had provided him so he could stay with Katie. It was day three of Katies hospital stay and Jacob had not left her side nor, did she wake up. the doctors had been stumped as to why she didn't come to, they called it an idiopathic vegetative state. Today they planned to move out of ICU into a room a regular room on the MedSurg floor. A move in which Jacob didn't like but had no reasonable argument against.

"Mr. Mantles," a voice he didn't recognize called from the doorway. "Hi, I'm Mary from the nursing agency." she reached out her hand as she stepped forward to greet him.

"Hi Mary. I assume the agency filled you in on what I need." Jacob didn't mean to be short he just needed some good sleep, a shower, and to make an appearance in the office.

"Yes, and I understand she's being moved up today."

"I am so glad you're here. I don't want her left alone for any reason. I've already made arrangements for you to accompany Katie if she has to leave the room for any reason." Jacob fished a card out of his wallet. "Here's my card text me if you need anything, or if anything significant happens, call me if there is any improvement or an emergency. And I know I shouldn't have to say this but if I find out you've leaked any information to anyone, including my mother, I will not only have your license I'll prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. However, if confidentiality is kept and you do your job well I will make sure you are very much rewarded to show my appreciation."

"Understood Mr. Mantels. I even brought a note pad to take notes on for you."

Jacob let out a soft sigh. For the first time since this nightmare began he felt like he had some control.

"I'm sorry I don't mean to be short with you, it's just been a difficult few days. Feel free to watch whatever you like on the TV, Katie liked romantic comedies. Anyway, do whatever you need to be comfortable and entertained. If she needs actual nursing care call the hospital nurses. Your job is basically to be her voice and my eyes. Cheri should be here sometime today. Oh, it's okay to give any information to Cheri or her Aunt Tracy. One last thing before I leave," Jacob placed a credit card on the nightstand. "I know you'll be here for twelve hours so lunch and dinner is on me. Have anything you want delivered. Don't bother objecting, the food in the cafeteria sucks and I need you at your best, not hungry."

"Thank you, Mr. Mantles."

Jacobs first order of business was to go home and get a shower, he could smell himself. It wasn't until he hit the parking lot that he realized he hadn't left the hospital since that first day and he had no car. Fifteen minute later Jacobs town car arrived, and he was on his way home.

"Good evening Mr. Mantles, are we headed to your condo or your mother's home?" The driver opened the door to the back seat for him, then stepped back allowing Jacob free access to the comforts of the town car.

"My condo please, then I'll need you back in two hours so don't go far."

"Yes Sir. That will not be a problem. I do have something for you. Two days ago your mother, Mrs. Mantles dropped this letter off with her driver. It was given to me to forward to you the first chance I could."

The driver handed Jacob a sealed envelope and shut the door before returning to his driver's seat.

"David," Jacob felt his entire body stiffen while glaring at the envelope. "Is my mother's name attached to this account?"

"Yes, Sir. It's paid for by her and has both of your names as clients."

"I'll be severing my name from this account, and I would like you to exclusively be available to me, and not to my mother. Is that doable?"

"I believe so, but I would have to speak with my manager before I can confirm that."

"I'll pay you weekly regardless of how often I call on you and I'll give you nice monthly bonus. The catch is that if I ever find out you've allowed any information about my comings and goings to get back to my mother I'll make sure you never drive again. Can you live with that?"

"Happily, Sir. I'll speak with my supervisor first thing in the morning and get the paperwork for you to sign."

Jacob opened up the envelope, which contained on slip of his mother's stationary with only one sentence written on it. 'Friday night dinner at Antonios 7:00pm.' Friday night dinner was a weekly tradition. Every week a different high end fancy restaurant picked by his mother. It had started back before Jacob was even borne. He really wasn't ready yet, but he couldn't let his mother get suspicious. So, he picked up his phone to all her for the first time since the incident.

"Well, it's about time you called," his mother spat.

"I'm sorry Mother but it's been an awful week."

"Friday then."

"I am underwater at the office. I've missed three days of work and need to catch up on business. Can we skip this week? Please, I promise next Friday I'll be there."

"I do not like this, but I understand it. So yes, this one time we'll forgo the dinner."

"Awesome," Jacob sighed in relief. "Can we go to Spagos? I've been craving veal, and they do it best."

"I'll make the reservations. See you next Friday at 7:00pm."

The two men spent the remainder of the ride in silence. Jacob prided himself on how he treated people who worked for him. He paid well, offered a good medical plan, PTO, and was generally nice to people. However, the last couple of days he didn't know who he could trust, and he found himself being curt with these same people. Something he already dearly regretted.

"Hey David, I'm sorry I know I was harsh earlier. I'm just going through something I can't explain." The apology was sincere, and he had hoped David knew it. Jacob took out $40 from his wallet and handed it to David. "Go get some lunch on me and I'll see you in two hours."

"This isn't necessary Mr. Mantles." Jacob watched the man look up at him as he held the door open for him. "But it is much appreciated, Thank you. I'll be back here for you in two hours."

Jacob smile for the first time in days and stepped out of the car. Things will work out, he was confident.

After his shower Jacob spied the box of broken mirror pieces.

"Jacob..." the faintest of whispers. he wasn't even sure he heard anything. Jacob shook off the uneasy feeling.

"Jacob..." like a magnet Jacob was drawn to the think brown box.

Slowly he lifted the lid and peered inside at the wreckage. Jacob let out a small screech as he saw the reflection of a young girl with dark eyes staring back at him. With a quickness Jacob turned to confront the woman standing behind him but saw no one. Slowly he turned back to the box but only saw his own reflection. There was a total of thirteen good sized pieces stacked in that box.

"Jacob help me help her."

At this point Jacob knew he had heard something, but mentally dismissed it as being over tired and over worked. He quickly got dressed and headed downstairs to his waiting car.

Twenty minutes later they pulled up to a quiet little art studio with windows filled with all types of art projects, most of them elegant and sophisticated. Just what he was looking for, for most of what he wanted done anyways.

"I don't know how long I'll be. If you want to find a parking spot, I'll text you when I need you."

"Yes, Sir." David got out of the car and opened the door for Jacob to make it easier for him to carry the box out.

Bells jingles as Jacob entered the studio. The front of the studio was set up like a small cozy shop. With beautiful mirror and glass windchimes hanging from the ceiling and beautifully blown glass vases and artful animals lining the walls. The wall blocking the way to the back studio was covered with different styles of mirrors, some with etchings and some with stylish ornate decorations. But not a soul was to be found. All Jacob to hear was what he thought was some kind of drill.

"Mr. McCanters?" Jacob called out, the shrill drill stopped, and a shaggy man peeked out from behind the wall.

"You must be Jacob Mantles, Cheri said you'd be coming by today. Please call me Mark."

"Yes, I'm Jacob. Did she tell you what I wanted?"

"She did, but I'd like a little more information about the special one that you want. Or more like I'd like to know more about the recipient so I can personalize it to fit her."

"Ok, what would you like to know?" Jacob's mind flooded with memories as they talked about his beautiful love. They spoke of the days they drove out to creek and picnicked in a field full of sunflowers and ever since they become her favorite. They spoke of love, they laughter, her mother and father, and even about her grandmother and how her death had devastated her. An hour later Jacob texted David to pick him up.

"Thank you, Mark. I can't even begin to tell you how much talking with you has helped me. This entire thing has been dreadful."