*EDITING* Point Of View 1 [*Do not read until you have read The Winner*]

51. Can I Be Him

*James*

I bring the dog to Lindsay's for a while and let her know what's going on. When I come back to the hospital, Trisha is asleep in a chair and looks like she's been crying. I look at Paul who just shakes his head. This is weighing on everyone, including Trisha. She may put out that she's strong but everyone has their breaking point. She's hit hers.

I walk in to the room and Julia is giving the nurse and Nate a hard time about eating.

Shit.

"I'm really not that hungry."

"Cmon. I'm jealous you get to eat real food and I get.....this." Nate stirs around his broth.

"Sorry, no solids for you yet. But Julia, you do need to eat a little. They won't discharge you on time if you don't."

"Would she get discharged today?" I look over at the nurse in a hopeful manner but it fades when I hear the nurse's prediction.

"Probably not today. She passes out too easily. But possibly tomorrow....if she EATS." Jonah taps on my tray. "You threw up a lot last night. You have nothing in your stomach, Miss Moretti. I'm serious. You don't eat a few good meals, you don't go home."

Julia looks to me for help but I shake my head at her. She needs to eat.

"C'mon Jule." Nate whispers. "Even just a little. Don't shut down like this. I know that's what's happening."

"Shut down?" Jonah gives Julia a confused look.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about and I'm really not hungry." She pushes the tray away forcefully, and turns to her side facing me, then pulls the covers up and closes her eyes. This is her shutting down...right in front of the nurse for him to see.

"Babe, just eat a little." I say. It's all she has to do. Just eat a little and Jonah will probably get off her back and leave her alone. But Julia is so friggen stubborn sometimes.

"Oh my fucking God can I just get my own room or something?? Can you all just shut the hell up?!" She bursts out, catching all of us off guard. "I'm sorry. I'm just really tired ok?"

She pulls the covers over her head so she doesn't have to deal with any of us now. Jonah the nurse looks at me and Nate but we both shake our heads. We know this is how Julia gets. And it's happening more frequently lately.

"Julia, does this happen often?" The nurse walks over to Julia and pulls the covers away. "I need to see something. Let me check your vitals."

"Are you for real right now? I'm fine." Julia sits up. She lets Jonah listen to her heart and check her pulse. He puts the stethoscope back around his neck and sits down next to her.

"Your heart is racing. Can I ask you a few questions privately?" Jonah asks and then looks around the room. The only person who can leave is me and the nurse realizes that after the fact.

"Just say whatever. I've slept with them both." Julia lays back down on her side and pulls the covers to hide her face. Both me and Nate look at each other wide eyed. Julia just wants to be left alone and for the first time ever, she's can't have her way. She is NOT happy.

"You know what? Maybe now's not the best time." Jonah stands up and writes something in Julia's chart. "I may have someone come in and check on you in a little bit, ok? Try to eat something." Jonah looks at Nate with a slight nod and then at me. He ticks his head to the side signaling for me to meet him out in the hall. Probably because I'm the only one who can physically leave the room. I follow the nurse outside the door and close it behind us. Trisha is still sleeping which just leaves the bodyguards to hear anything we say.