Well, it's been a week since I'm home from the hospital and I'm going stir crazy lying in bed everyday. I can't wait to be walking around - rather hobbling around - the house and back to my office. Tom has been great this past week, staying at home from work to take care of me. The poor darling has so much to do! Aside from the usual chores, he has to dress and undress me, wash me and serve me breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't know how he does it... He is such a sweet and caring man.

Sid has been by almost everyday to talk about the case. He's been helping me with witnesses since I can't leave the house just yet. Luckily, the pain has subsided a lot when I'm just lying in bed, but it is still bad every time I stand up.

«Is Sid coming today?» Tom asks as he enters the bedroom. «Yeah, he'll be here in about an hour. Do you have errands to run? Sid could stay until you get back» I suggest. «Are you sure he won't mind? I'd like to drop by my office and see how everybody is doing» Tom tells me. «That's a good idea. It'll keep your mind off things for a while» I say.

Tom carefully sits on the bed next to me and kisses me tenderly on the lips. His hand is softly caressing my thigh and I know what that means. There's nothing I would rather do at this moment than make love to my husband, but I'm so scare. Scare I will get hurt and scare I won't be able to fulfill his desire. I make a mental note to talk to Doctor Anderson about it next week.

«Don't, Tom. I'm not ready yet. My leg still hurts, baby» I say almost apologetically. «God, I'm the one who should be sorry Jen. I got carried away. I know you need time. It may seems stupid, but I just want to show you that no matter what, you're still the most sexy woman I know» Tom reveals.

I bury my head on his shoulder, almost clinging to him. I rub his back in a loving way and promise him we'll be together soon. «Well, I have to check a few things before I head up to the office. Do you need anything?» Tom wants to know. «No, I'm fine for now. Thanks for everything you're doing for me, sweetie» I tell him.

An hour later, Sid arrives to go over the case with me. I hear him asking Tom how I'm doing. They talk for a few minutes before Tom leaves.

«Hi, Jennifer. Tom tells me you're doing better! Glad to hear it...» Sid says as he puts his coat on the chair near the bed. «Yeah, the pain is still there but it's not as bad. Except when I get up, then it's pure torture. I hope you don't mind staying with me while Tom is out. The poor baby, he has so much to do with me laid up. I feel so helpless and I hate that» I admit. «Of course I don't mind. Beside, we have a lot to discuss right now. The trial is set to start next week and we need to prepare ourselves for a fierce battle. I know Fergurson's lawyer pretty well and he is one tough cookie, take my word for it» Sid explains.

As we see it, Stanley Fergurson has murdered his wife for the oldest motive in the world: money. His business was failing and some bad investments meant he was about to file for bankruptcy. Last year, he had his wife insured for a million dollars and with his money trouble, he decided to cash in by gunning her down in their house.

«How credible do you think his friend is? Dennis Turner is a well respected businessman in this community. What would he have to gain by perjuring himself to save Ferguson?» I wonder.

«Turner is the weakest link in this case. Ferguson was arrested because of the insurance on his wife and the fact that he needed money fast to save his business, which gives him the best motive. Plus, don't forget that a neighbord heard our prime suspect and his wife argue two days before she was killed. But we have to find something on this Turner if we don't want to leave the jury with reasonable doubts about Ferguson whereabouts at the time of the murder. Don't ever forget that Turner came to the police after Ferguson was arrested. Why didn't Ferguson tell the police he had an alibi right at the murder scene? Why the delay?» Sid asks me.

He's right. Something's fishy is going on and we need to do some more investigating before we enter the courtroom. «I'll ask Angie to look up background info on Turner for you». Angie Stafford is a third year law student who's been helping us the last six months. She is very thorough and I trust her very much.

Sid and I go over the depositions one more time. We know them by heart but when you go to trial, there is no room for mistake. You have to know your case by heart if you want to do a good job.

«I see you didn't miss me while I was gone». Tom is standing in the doorway, with a big smile on his face. «Hi, baby. I didn't hear you come in. So how's everybody at work?». «Very well. They all send you their best wishes» Tom says as he kisses me on the cheek.

«Well, I think I will leave you two alone. Beside, you need your rest Jennifer. You look a little tired. Is your leg hurting?» Sid asks with concerned. «Yeah, just a bit. It'll go away with my medication. Thanks for coming by. I appreciate it» I tell him while he put his paper back in his briefcase.

«No sweat. I'm glad I can be of help. I'll see you tomorrow. No need to show me the way Tom. Stay with your lovely wife». Sid leaves and Tom carefully slides up next to me. «So, how was your afternoon, Miss Bailey?». «It was good. Why do I have the feeling you're up to something?» I say suspicious of his behavior. «I have a little surprise for you. I was talking to Paul at the office and he gave me a great idea» Tom says to me. He leaves the room and comes back a minute later with a... wheelchair!

«Where on earth did you get that? And what for? I already have crutches». «I rented it at the drugstore. Actually it's not for indoor use. I thought you might want to take a little ride outside. The weather is so nice and you've been cooped up in here for a week. It's about time you get some fresh air, my love».

«Do you think it's wise? And what about the neighbors. Everybody will be staring at me...» I tell him, a bit uncomfortable at being pushed around by my husband with a big cast on my leg. «Don't tell me that the fearless Jennifer Bailey is afraid of what people will think of her? And don't worry about your leg, I checked with Doctor Anderson this afternoon and he says that as long as your leg is elevated and I don't hit any potholes, there shouldn't be any problem. He even said he would do wonders for you moral. C'mon honey, we'll just go around the block».

Tom's right. I do need to get out of this room. As soon as I say yes, Tom gently lifts my cast to retrieve the two pillows. Again, this simple movement triggers pain in my lower leg. Tom takes my casted heel in his hand and lowers my leg to the floor. He helps me sit down and props up my leg on the pillow. I take my medication before we leave, hoping that the pills will take away the pain.

It is early spring but the air is warm even at this time of day. I take a deep breath, so happy to be outside. I'm glad I took Tom's offer. He pushes me slowly on the sidewalk careful to avoid any sudden movement. As we pass the Collin's house, our next door neighbors, I see Martha getting out of her car. She stops dead in her tracks when she spots me.

«Jennifer, I'm so glad to see you! I heard on the news that you broke your leg. I wanted to come by but I didn't want to disturb you. How are you?» she asks while looking at my huge cast with wide eyes. «I'm doing all right, Martha, thank you. Speaking of that, how's Gary?». Gary is Martha's husband. He hurt his back last week at work and he' been laid up ever since. «He's much better. The doctor said he should be back at work sometimes next week. Well, I have to go now, I have to prepare dinner. It was certainly nice to see you Jennifer and please, don't hesitate to call if you need anything» Martha says while opening her front door.

We resume our stroll down the street. On the other side, I see two little boys playing in front of a house. They look at me and wave with a big smile on their faces. «I believe you have two admirers, my love» Tom teases me. I wave back and they return to their game.

Half an hour later, we're back at the house. «Are you hungry?» Tom asks. «I'm famished. Must be the fresh air» I tell him. «How does Chinese sound?». «Chinese it is» I answer. The food is excellent and I'm happy just to have my meal at the dinner table, just like «normal» people. But as soon as I'm done eating, I feel exhausted. «You look tired honey. Do you want to go lie down for a while?» Tom asks. «Yeah, I think that would be a good idea».

Tom takes me to the bedroom in the wheelchair and with extreme caution, he lifts up my leg to retrieve the two pillows. As I'm about to stand on my good foot, Tom stops me. «Let me carry you. That way you won't have to put your leg down» he says. What would I do without this man... I put my arms around his neck and he lifts me as if I was light as a feather. Very carefully, he lowers me to the bed, making sure that my casted leg is already on top of the pillows.

«Did it hurt?». «No, but I feel a little pain right here» I say, showing him my lips. «That, I can help you with». He leans over me and kisses me tenderly. Before leaving, he also kiss the tip of my big toe, sending shivers down my spine. «Thank you» I whisper before falling asleep.